Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday sharpened his attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP), accusing the opposition of “faking faith” and reviving a two-decade-old controversy over an alleged proposal to hold namaz at Ayodhya’s Hanumangarhi Temple. The remarks came as the BJP government continues to face questions over the alleged theft of donations collected at the Ram Temple.
Speaking at an event organised by Republic Bharat in Lucknow, Adityanath alleged that those who once facilitated namaz at Hanumangarhi were now questioning the BJP and raising concerns over matters of faith.
“Those who used to facilitate namaz at Hanumangarhi are now commenting on Ayodhya and matters of faith. Questions are being raised today by such people concerning a sacred site like Hanumangarhi,” the chief minister said.
Yogi revives 2003 Hanumangarhi controversy
The chief minister was referring to a proposal in 2003 to organise namaz on the steps of the Hanumangarhi Temple in Ayodhya.
Backing Adityanath’s claim, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Brijlal, who served as Uttar Pradesh’s Inspector General (Law and Order) in 2003 before later becoming Director General of Police, said such a proposal had indeed existed.
According to Brijlal, the plan was formulated with the support of the then Inspector General of Police for the zone. However, he claimed the proposal was altered after intervention by the then Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Faizabad.
He further alleged that the namaz and iftaar programme eventually took place at the residence of Hanumangarhi Mahant Gyan Das, situated adjacent to the temple premises.
‘Those faking faith committed this sin’
Using the controversy to target the Samajwadi Party, Adityanath accused its leaders of pretending to defend Hindu interests while allegedly disrespecting sacred sites.
“Those who are faking faith committed this sin, whereas the BJP established Ayodhya as the cultural capital of Sanatan Dharma,” he said.
The chief minister also linked the opposition’s criticism over the Ram Temple donation controversy to what he described as its past record.
“Talking about faith and theft in Ram Temple Ayodhya are those who had committed dacoity on the rights of the poor,” he said.
Yogi defends government’s handling of Ram Temple donation case
Addressing allegations surrounding the reported theft of donations at the Ram Temple, Adityanath described the incident as “unfortunate” but insisted that the government had acted promptly.
He said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was already probing the matter and that action was being taken based on its findings and recommendations made by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
According to the chief minister, resignations had also been submitted on moral grounds, even as the investigation remains underway.
Supreme Court seeks SIT report
The political exchange comes a day after the Supreme Court directed the Uttar Pradesh government’s Special Investigation Team to submit a report on the alleged Ram Temple donation theft.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohan, also issued notice to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on petitions seeking a time-bound investigation into the allegations.
One of the petitioners has sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and has also requested a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit of the Trust’s finances, arguing that the alleged misappropriation warrants an independent investigation.
The controversy has since evolved into a political flashpoint, with the BJP accusing the opposition of hypocrisy on matters of faith, while the alleged financial irregularities continue to remain under judicial scrutiny.
