Aman Arora Urges PM Modi to Ensure Strict Punishment in Ram Mandir Donation Theft Case

Chandigarh: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab president and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure strict punishment for those found guilty in reported donation theft cases linked to the Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Referring to 105 reported incidents of donation theft, Arora demanded a comprehensive investigation into the matter, including the possible role of senior officials responsible for the temple’s administration.

Arora said the BJP, which gained considerable political support by invoking sentiments associated with the Ram Mandir, must ensure that nobody responsible for wrongdoing is protected. He also highlighted a campaign through which more than one lakh devotees from Punjab have written to the Prime Minister, seeking accountability and justice.

Why Is Aman Arora Demanding Strict Punishment?

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Arora said millions of devotees had contributed their hard-earned money towards the construction of the Shri Ram Mandir with deep faith and devotion. He argued that any proven misuse of these donations would amount to a betrayal of their trust.

“I am raising this issue not as an AAP leader or party president, but as a Ram-Bhakt who shares the anguish of lakhs of people across Punjab,” Arora said.

He stressed that devotees’ faith and contributions deserved respect and called on the Prime Minister to ensure that everyone found guilty faced strict legal action, regardless of their position or influence.

How Have More Than One Lakh Devotees Approached the Prime Minister?

Displaying bundles of letters received from different parts of Punjab, Arora said more than one lakh Ram devotees had voluntarily written to Modi, urging him to intervene in the matter.

According to Arora, the letters had been collected from across approximately 22,000 polling booths in the state. He said the AAP would submit them to the Prime Minister as a collective appeal for justice and accountability.

The campaign carries the slogan, “Ram Bhakton Ki Ek Pukar, Chanda Choron Ko Saza Is Baar,” reflecting the devotees’ demand for strict action against anyone found responsible for the alleged wrongdoing.

What Questions Have Been Raised About the CCTV Footage and SIT Probe?

Arora referred to reports of 105 incidents allegedly captured by CCTV cameras and examined by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). He questioned how repeated incidents could occur without raising concerns about supervision and administrative accountability.

He argued that responsibility should not be limited to junior employees when questions remain about the role of senior officials and those overseeing the temple’s affairs.

“If repeated incidents of theft have taken place, the responsibility of those overseeing the institution must also be examined,” he said.

Arora called for a comprehensive investigation to establish how the alleged incidents occurred and determine whether all those responsible had been identified. He insisted that the inquiry should examine the temple’s administrative and management structure wherever relevant.

Why Has Arora Called on the BJP Leadership to Act?

The AAP Punjab president said the Prime Minister, the Union government and BJP leadership must ensure that nobody involved in wrongdoing is protected because of political connections, official rank or influence.

He pointed out that the Shri Ram Mandir had been a central political commitment of the BJP and argued that the party had a responsibility to protect the trust of devotees.

Arora also recalled the political significance of the Ram Mandir movement, noting that the BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the 1996 Lok Sabha elections with 161 seats. He said sentiments associated with the temple had contributed significantly to the party’s political rise.

He maintained that political leaders must demonstrate that protecting devotees’ faith is as important as invoking religious sentiments.

Can Political Parties Afford to Take Devotees’ Faith for Granted?

Arora cited the Shiromani Akali Dal while arguing that political parties risk losing public support when they invoke religious sentiments but fail to uphold the trust of their followers.

He said religious faith should not become a tool for political gains while legitimate concerns about transparency and accountability remain unanswered.

Reiterating his demand, Arora called for a thorough investigation into the reported donation theft cases and strict punishment for everyone found guilty. He emphasised that no individual should receive preferential treatment because of their rank, position or political influence.

Concluding his appeal, Arora said the demand from devotees in Punjab was clear: accountability, justice and strict punishment for everyone found responsible for wrongdoing.