Bhagwant Mann: A political row over donation irregularities connected to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir has erupted in Punjab, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) unveiling a campaign of one lakh complaint letters addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding stringent action against offenders. Several leaders have questioned the process of donation collection and demanded accountability, with the focus on bolstering the faith of devotees.
Why are people talking about the Ram Mandir Donation Row?
This issue relates to the allegedly illegal theft of donations and valuables at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya. The case has been investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a chargesheet filed in September 2026 has described alleged theft of money during the donation counting. Eight accused have been identified and the case is ongoing.
Why is Bhagwant Mann AAP demanding action?
AAP has politicized the controversy by trying to make it a matter of public accountability, saying the devotees who donated to the temple are entitled to know what happened to the offerings. The AAP campaign is requesting the prime minister to be held responsible and punish as decided by the law. This is what the AAP demands.
What is the demand behind one lakh letters?
The campaign will be based on collecting complaint letters from Ram devotees in the state of Punjab and sending them to the Prime Minister. The AAP says the aim of the campaign is to be able to “get the message to the Prime Minister and request action” over the irregularities. The volume of letters cited is the campaign’s stated target and should not be considered in itself as a given submission figure.
What Has the Investigation Revealed So Far?
The SIT chargesheet stated that they have tracked 105 transactions in which cash was allegedly taken away during the counting process, based on CCTV footage and other evidence, and eight accused were identified in the chargesheet. The temple trust also saw a change in leadership after the controversy. The charges are significant, but the allegations against the accused are yet to be proved in the court of law.
