Shimla, July 8: The ruling Congress government in Himachal Pradesh organized a demonstration in the state capital over the reported misappropriation of public funds contributed for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu led party executives, cabinet ministers, and grassroots workers in a march from the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex to the Ram Mandir located in Ram Bazaar. Following the rally, the senior administrative leadership gathered at the temple to perform a traditional havan ceremony and offer collective prayers.
The Chief Minister asserted that religious sentiments should remain separate from partisan activities, noting that citizens from all economic backgrounds had participated in the fundraising drives.
“The BJP has politicised the Ram Mandir-related issues whereas millions of devotees across the country have contributed generously towards the construction of the temple according to their faith and capacity.”
Sukhu maintained that the mismanagement of the temple funds directly compromised the personal devotion of citizens who supported the project.
“After the temple’s inauguration, devotees from across the country donated money and jewellery with deep faith and devotion. Those involved have not only misused public donations but also betrayed the trust and faith of millions of devotees.”
The state leadership linked the historical progress of the temple site to past national policy decisions, pointing to the administrative choices made decades prior. Sukhu declared that early legal openings paved the way for the ultimate construction of the religious structure.
“The credit for initiating the process that eventually led to the construction of the Ram Mandir should first go to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, under whose tenure the locks of the Ram Janmabhoomi site were opened. While the Congress has deep faith in Lord Ram, it does not believe in exploiting religious sentiments for political purposes.”
The demonstration saw significant participation from the state’s political structure, including State Congress President Vinay Kumar and Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh. The Chief Minister later concluded his itinerary by visiting the Jakhu temple to perform further religious recitations.
