1 week ago
Seers Threaten Ayodhya Agitation Over Ram Temple Offering Allegations
Some Hindu seers in Ayodhya protested claims that offerings at the Ram temple were mishandled.
They want an independent investigation to find out who was responsible.
They accused former trust official Champat Rai, who has denied wrongdoing.
The seers also said police stopped their meeting and locked the place.
A police officer denied this and gave a different explanation about the meeting venue.
Computer Baba said many more seers could join a larger protest.
Another seer said important people were being protected while smaller participants faced action.
Eight people involved in collecting and counting offerings were arrested.
Prominent seers protested former trust general secretary Champat Rai over alleged embezzlement of Ram temple offerings.
The seers demanded an impartial investigation and strict action against everyone found responsible.
The group alleged police stopped their meeting at Om Ashram and locked the premises.
Ayodhya Circle Officer Ashutosh Tiwari denied that police forcibly ended the meeting and said the hotel booking was for lodging, not a gathering.
Computer Baba warned that up to one lakh seers could join a movement; eight people involved in collecting and counting offerings were arrested.
- Who
- Computer Baba, Mahant Janmejay Sharan, Mahamandaleshwar Parmanand Giri, Mahant Dilip Das and other seers; former trust general secretary Champat Rai; and Ayodhya police.
- What
- Seers protested alleged embezzlement of Ram temple offerings and demanded an impartial investigation and strict action.
- Where
- Om Ashram near Karsevakpuram in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh; the police said the meeting was held in a hotel room.
- When
- Tuesday, August 25; the year is not specified.
- Why
- The seers sought identification and punishment of those allegedly responsible and said major figures should not be protected.
Seers’ Allegations and Demands
Police Denial and Rai’s Response
Whether police stopped the meeting
Seers’ Allegations and Demands
The seers alleged that police arrived during their meeting, asked them to leave and later locked the premises.
Police Denial and Rai’s Response
Ayodhya Circle Officer Ashutosh Tiwari denied the allegation, saying the group was in a hotel room booked for lodging and that the owner asked them to vacate it. A separate report said police had not immediately responded to the claim.
Who should be held responsible
Seers’ Allegations and Demands
The seers alleged that smaller participants had faced action while major figures were being protected, and demanded an impartial probe and punishment for those responsible.
Police Denial and Rai’s Response
Champat Rai resigned after the allegations emerged and denied wrongdoing. The reports state that eight people involved in collecting and counting offerings were arrested, but do not establish who was ultimately responsible.
Key facts
- Location
- Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
- Meeting site identified by seers
- Om Ashram near Karsevakpuram
- Allegation
- Embezzlement or theft of offerings at the Ram temple
- Former official named
- Champat Rai, former general secretary of the Ram temple trust
- Reported arrests
- Eight people involved in collecting and counting offerings
- Police position
- Circle Officer Ashutosh Tiwari denied that police forcibly stopped the meeting
- Proposed protest
- Computer Baba said a movement could involve one lakh seers
- Additional demand
- Parmanand Giri called for strict action and imposition of the National Security Act on the accused
Quotes
Prakashanand Giri, alias Computer Baba
Seer who participated in the protest and called for an impartial investigation
“Action was taken against small players in the loot of Ram temple offerings, while the big ones are being protected. The district administration is siding with the accused. It does not want the accused to be caught. That is why the meeting is not being allowed”
theprint.in
“The seers could not stop this loot, and for this we fold our hands and apologise to Ramlalla. Strict action should be taken against the accused and the National Security Act (NSA) should be imposed on them”
rediff.com
theprint.in
Sources
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