VHP asks Ayodhya police to question Arvind Kejriwal, Priyanka Gandhi in Ram Temple donation case

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) International President Alok Kumar on Sunday took a swipe at Opposition leaders over their allegations of misappropriation of donations at Ayodhya's Ram Temple, saying that if they have evidence to support their claims, they should assist the ongoing investigation.

His remarks came after he wrote to the investigating officer in the Ram Temple donation embezzlement case, urging the police to question Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal,AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh and Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav over their public statements alleging large-scale theft and financial irregularities.

Speaking to IANS, Kumar said the leaders hold influential positions and their allegations suggested they possessed information that could aid the investigation.

"The people regarding whom I have written are influential individuals holding senior positions. Whatever they have said publicly might have some basis, and they may have knowledge about the facts of the case," he said.

Referring to Opposition claims that more than ₹20,000 crore in donations had gone missing from the Ram Temple, Kumar said, "According to the information received by us, such an amount was not even received."

He specifically referred to Ram Gopal Yadav's allegation and said that if the police question him about the source of the figure, he should be able to provide documents or evidence to substantiate the claim.

"This will assist the investigation," Kumar said.

Citing similar allegations by Priyanka Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, he added that they too should be asked to explain the basis of their claims.

"I have not pointed fingers at anyone. I have only said that investigators should seek their help since they appear to know things that even we are not aware of," he said.

Kumar also clarified that the VHP's annual meeting, originally planned in Ayodhya, has been shifted to Delhi due to logistical issues amid the ongoing investigation into the alleged irregularities at the Ram Temple.

"The meeting was initially postponed and will now be held in Delhi," he said.

Responding to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's criticism over the BJP leadership's alleged silence on the controversy, Kumar said actions matter more than words.

"The BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, through Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has promised to bring out the truth. I believe the government is doing whatever is expected from it," he added.