Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has intensified his party’s attack over the alleged misappropriation of donations linked to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, using his visit to Goa to demand what he described as “the strictest possible punishment” for those found guilty and for anyone allegedly shielding them.
Speaking to journalists after offering prayers at the Maruti Temple in Panaji on Saturday, Kejriwal said he had prayed for justice in the alleged donation scandal, arguing that the issue was not merely about financial irregularities but about the faith and trust of millions of devotees who had contributed to the construction and maintenance of one of Hinduism’s most revered temples.
His remarks come at a time when the alleged irregularities surrounding temple donations have become a politically sensitive issue, drawing attention beyond Uttar Pradesh and entering the national political discourse.
Kejriwal alleged that devotees from across India had made contributions to the Ram Temple with deep religious faith and that any diversion or misuse of those offerings would amount to a betrayal of public trust.
Referring to one of the allegations under investigation, the former Delhi Chief Minister claimed that a former Union Home Secretary had donated a one-kilogram gold replica of the Ramcharitmanas to the temple. According to Kejriwal, the gold artefact later went missing.
He further alleged that when the donor sought an explanation regarding the missing donation, he was reportedly told that safeguarding every item inside the temple was not the responsibility of the temple administration. Kejriwal said such allegations, if established through investigation, raise serious concerns about the management of valuable offerings made by devotees.
“We prayed that every individual involved in the alleged theft of devotees’ donations receives the strictest punishment under the law. Those who may have protected or assisted the accused should also be investigated,” he said.
Kejriwal maintained that transparency and accountability were essential in managing religious donations, particularly at a shrine that has drawn contributions from millions of people across the country.
The AAP leader was accompanied by Goa unit leaders, including the party’s Goa in-charge Atishi, state president Valmiki Naik and other senior office-bearers during the temple visit.
The controversy relates to an alleged financial irregularity connected with the counting and handling of donations received at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The matter first surfaced publicly earlier this month, prompting the Uttar Pradesh government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Following the SIT’s preliminary findings, an FIR was registered, and investigators have since arrested eight individuals reportedly associated with the temple’s donation-counting process. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have indicated that further action will depend on the evidence collected during the probe.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had not issued an immediate response to Kejriwal’s latest allegations at the time of his remarks. The investigation is continuing, and no court has yet determined the criminal liability of those accused.
Political observers believe Kejriwal’s intervention reflects the AAP’s broader strategy of raising issues related to transparency and public accountability while simultaneously attempting to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party on matters involving governance and public institutions. By framing the alleged irregularities as a question of devotees’ faith rather than a conventional political controversy, the party appears to be seeking a wider national resonance.
The remarks also come during Kejriwal’s three-day visit to Goa, where AAP has begun preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections. The party has indicated its willingness to explore opposition unity against the BJP in the coastal state, suggesting that national issues involving accountability and governance are likely to feature prominently in its political campaign.
As the investigation into the Ayodhya donation case progresses, the episode is expected to remain both a legal matter and a politically charged issue, with opposition parties demanding greater transparency while the outcome will ultimately depend on the findings of the investigating agencies and subsequent judicial proceedings.
