Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP), accusing it of misusing temple resources, diverting devotees’ donations, and pursuing policies that, according to him, undermined the interests of Ayodhya and Hindu religious institutions. His remarks come amid the ongoing political controversy surrounding the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case, which has become a fresh flashpoint between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition.
Addressing a public gathering in Ayodhya, Yogi Adityanath alleged that during the Samajwadi Party’s tenure in Uttar Pradesh, temples were brought under political control and the donations made by devotees were misappropriated. He claimed that money offered at temples was diverted for purposes unrelated to temple administration, alleging that some of these funds were even used to construct mosque walls.
“Samajwadi Party used to pocket money donated at temples,” the chief minister said, adding that devotees’ contributions were allegedly misused after the party took control of temple management. He did not present evidence for the allegations during the speech.
The chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s remarks come as investigations continue into the alleged theft of donations linked to the Ram Temple, an issue that has intensified political exchanges between the BJP and opposition parties ahead of upcoming elections.
During his address, Yogi Adityanath also revived the BJP’s long-standing allegation regarding an alleged attempt to organise namaz at Ayodhya’s Hanumangarhi temple during the Mulayam Singh Yadav government in 2003. Referring to earlier claims made by former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police and BJP MP Brij Lal, he said local police had denied permission for the proposed Ramzan prayers and iftar gathering near the temple, preventing the event from taking place.
Questioning the alleged incident, Adityanath said, “Can anyone recite the Hanuman Chalisa inside the Jama Masjid? Can any government make that happen? If not, then why was such an act attempted on the steps of Hanumangarhi in Ayodhya?”
The chief minister also accused the Samajwadi Party and the Congress of consistently opposing Ayodhya’s development under the BJP government. He claimed that opposition leaders had once mocked the idea of establishing an international airport in the temple city but that Ayodhya now has an international airport named after Maharishi Valmiki. According to Adityanath, the city’s transformation reflects the BJP government’s commitment to preserving and promoting its religious and cultural heritage.
He further alleged that both the Congress and the Samajwadi Party had previously questioned the historical authenticity of Lord Ram. Referring to the construction of the Ram Mandir, Adityanath said that the temple became a reality only after the BJP came to power, presenting it as one of the party’s major achievements.
Earlier in the day, the chief minister also targeted the opposition over the Waqf issue, accusing the Congress and the Samajwadi Party of selectively raising questions about the alleged Ram Temple donation theft while remaining silent on alleged irregularities involving Waqf properties. He claimed that large tracts of land meant for public welfare had allegedly been sold in the name of Waqf, arguing that such land could have benefited poor and weaker sections of society.
With the Ram Temple donation controversy continuing to dominate political discourse, Adityanath’s remarks have further sharpened the BJP’s confrontation with the opposition over Ayodhya, religious institutions, and governance in Uttar Pradesh.