“I have just said that the investigators should take their (opposition leaders) help,” VHP’s Alok Kumar. The political confrontation over the alleged misappropriation of Ram Mandir donations has intensified, with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) throwing the challenge back at Opposition leaders who have accused the temple authorities of financial irregularities. The VHP has now said that if the Opposition has evidence to support its allegations, it should place it before investigators instead of making public claims. The latest escalation comes after VHP International President Alok Kumar wrote to the Investigation Officer handling the alleged Ram Temple embezzlement case, urging verification of allegations made by several Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, AAP leader Sanjay Singh and Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav.Speaking to news agency IANS, Alok Kumar said the leaders named in his letter occupy influential positions and suggested that if they have made such serious allegations, they should be able to substantiate them before investigators.”The people regarding whom (I have) written are influential individuals, holding senior positions; that is why I considered that whatever they have said, especially in the public domain, might have some basis and they might have knowledge about the facts of the case.”Responding to the Opposition’s allegation that “more than Rs 20,000 crore are missing” from donations made to the Ram Temple, Kumar rejected the claim and said the figure itself did not match the temple’s records.”According to the information received by us, such amount was not even received.”He specifically referred to Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav’s remarks and said investigators should seek details from him if he possesses information supporting the allegation.”Since (Samajwadi Party leader) Professor Ram Gopal Yadav is saying this…if police questions him that how did he mention such a huge figure, who provided him with the information, does he have any supporting documents (to prove the allegations), then Ram Gopal ji should be able to convey it to the investigators,” he added.”This will assist the investigation,” he asserted.Referring to similar allegations made by Priyanka Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, the VHP chief said the accusations involved claims that large amounts of temple donations had been stolen.”It has been alleged that offerings worth crores of rupees (have been stolen).”Kumar, however, maintained that he was not accusing the Opposition leaders of wrongdoing. Instead, he said investigators should seek their assistance if they possess information relevant to the case.”I have just said that the investigators should take their help (leaders) since they know about a lot of things that even we are not aware of.”The remarks come amid a continuing political row over the alleged financial irregularities linked to the Ram Temple Trust, with the Opposition stepping up its attacks and the VHP defending the institution while insisting that the investigation should establish the facts.Asked why the VHP’s annual meeting was shifted from Ayodhya to Delhi, Kumar said the decision was taken because of logistical reasons during the ongoing investigation.”The meeting was initially postponed and will now be held in Delhi,” he said.On Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s criticism of the BJP leadership over the controversy, Kumar said the Uttar Pradesh government had already committed itself to uncovering the truth.”Actions are more important than words. The BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, through its Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has promised to bring out the truth.””I believe the government is doing whatever is expected from it,” he added.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political RowWhy the NDA Still Faces an Uphill Battle to Pass the Women’s Reservation Bill Despite Higher Numbers8 Officials Suspended After Books Allegedly Glorifying Separatists : J&K School Book RowArmy, J&K Police And CRPF Surround Two LeT Terrorists In Shopian As Gunfight ContinuesLove Across The LoC: PoK Youth Sent Back Home After Court Accepts He Crossed Border To Meet BelovedMamata Calls TMC Rebels ‘Traitors’, Dares Rivals To ‘Kill Me’ As Party Split DeepensKedarnath-Badrinath Donation Row: Cong Questions BJP, Temple Committee Launches ProbeJ&K School Book Controversy: BJP, Civil Society Demand Probe Over Book Glorifying SeparatistsHAPS Explained: How India’s New High-Altitude Surveillance Aircraft Will Boost Defence CapabilitiesDelhi Court Reserves Order On Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam’s Fresh Bail Pleas In Riots Case123PhotostoriesCharlie Chaplin and more: 7 Old Hollywood icons married to Partners 30 years younger7 Surprising facts about ring-necked parrots you probably didn’t knowBride-to-be Anshula Kapoor’s stunning blue Patola lehenga for mehendi celebrations is a look rooted in Indian craftsmanshipWhy old Indian sweets lasted longer without preservativesWhy does Mawlynnong stop tourists on Sundays? 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The political confrontation over the alleged misappropriation of Ram Mandir donations has intensified, with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) throwing the challenge back at Opposition leaders who have accused the temple authorities of financial irregularities. The VHP has now said that if the Opposition has evidence to support its allegations, it should place it before investigators instead of making public claims. The latest escalation comes after VHP International President Alok Kumar wrote to the Investigation Officer handling the alleged Ram Temple embezzlement case, urging verification of allegations made by several Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, AAP leader Sanjay Singh and Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav.Speaking to news agency IANS, Alok Kumar said the leaders named in his letter occupy influential positions and suggested that if they have made such serious allegations, they should be able to substantiate them before investigators.“The people regarding whom (I have) written are influential individuals, holding senior positions; that is why I considered that whatever they have said, especially in the public domain, might have some basis and they might have knowledge about the facts of the case.”Responding to the Opposition’s allegation that “more than Rs 20,000 crore are missing” from donations made to the Ram Temple, Kumar rejected the claim and said the figure itself did not match the temple’s records.“According to the information received by us, such amount was not even received.”He specifically referred to Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav’s remarks and said investigators should seek details from him if he possesses information supporting the allegation.“Since (Samajwadi Party leader) Professor Ram Gopal Yadav is saying this…if police questions him that how did he mention such a huge figure, who provided him with the information, does he have any supporting documents (to prove the allegations), then Ram Gopal ji should be able to convey it to the investigators,” he added.“This will assist the investigation,” he asserted.Referring to similar allegations made by Priyanka Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, the VHP chief said the accusations involved claims that large amounts of temple donations had been stolen.“It has been alleged that offerings worth crores of rupees (have been stolen).”Kumar, however, maintained that he was not accusing the Opposition leaders of wrongdoing. Instead, he said investigators should seek their assistance if they possess information relevant to the case.“I have just said that the investigators should take their help (leaders) since they know about a lot of things that even we are not aware of.”The remarks come amid a continuing political row over the alleged financial irregularities linked to the Ram Temple Trust, with the Opposition stepping up its attacks and the VHP defending the institution while insisting that the investigation should establish the facts.Asked why the VHP’s annual meeting was shifted from Ayodhya to Delhi, Kumar said the decision was taken because of logistical reasons during the ongoing investigation.“The meeting was initially postponed and will now be held in Delhi,” he said.On Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav‘s criticism of the BJP leadership over the controversy, Kumar said the Uttar Pradesh government had already committed itself to uncovering the truth.“Actions are more important than words. The BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, through its Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has promised to bring out the truth.”“I believe the government is doing whatever is expected from it,” he added.
