Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Akhilesh Yadav Visits Ayodhya for Religious Event, Skips Ram Mandir
Akhilesh Yadav went to Ayodhya on Thursday for a religious story-reading event.
It was held at former minister Tej Narayan Pandey's home.
Yadav did not go to the Ram Mandir.
He said people should be treated equally and society should reject discrimination.
He also called for compassion in government.
Yadav has previously raised concerns about alleged theft of donations at the temple.
The temple trust said its audits found no significant problems.
Police investigated, and an SIT later filed a chargesheet alleging donations were taken during counting.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav visited Ayodhya on Thursday to attend a Shrimad Bhagwat Katha.
The religious event was held at former minister Tej Narayan Pandey's residence; Yadav did not visit the Ram Mandir.
Yadav called for equality, social justice, compassion in governance and an end to discrimination.
He said the PDA coalition's communities had faced neglect and oppression, and described the Katha as conveying equality.
Yadav previously sought judicial intervention over alleged temple donation theft; the temple trust denied significant irregularities, while an SIT later filed a chargesheet alleging pilferage.
- Who
- Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav
- What
- Visited a Shrimad Bhagwat Katha and spoke about equality and social justice, but did not visit the Ram Mandir.
- When
- Thursday; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- Ayodhya, at former minister Tej Narayan Pandey's residence.
- Why
- To attend the religious event; he said it conveyed equality and called for social justice.
Allegations and investigation
Temple trust response
Handling of temple donations
Allegations and investigation
Akhilesh Yadav raised allegations of theft and misappropriation, demanded judicial intervention, and an SIT chargesheet later alleged pilferage during the counting process.
Temple trust response
The temple trust rejected the allegations, saying its internal audits had found no significant irregularities.
- Visitor
- Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party president
- Event
- Shrimad Bhagwat Katha
- Host location
- Residence of former minister Tej Narayan Pandey, also known as Pawan Pandey
- Temple visit
- Yadav stayed away from the Ram Mandir
- PDA
- Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak social coalition
- Investigation
- An SIT investigated alleged donation pilferage; eight people were arrested and the SIT filed a chargesheet.
- Temple trust response
- The trust said internal audits had found no significant irregularities.