RSS voices ‘grief’ over alleged Ram Mandir donation theft, backs SIT probe | India News

NEW DELHI: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday expressed “grief” over the alleged irregularities in the counting of donations at the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, while voicing confidence that the ongoing SIT investigation and police action would soon reach a “decisive turn”.The issue was discussed on the concluding day of the RSS’ three-day Akhil Bharatiya Prant Pracharak Baithak in Belagavi, where the organisation also reviewed its training programmes, centenary year initiatives and deliberated on issues including population imbalance, the upcoming census and drug abuse.“In the meeting, everyone expressed grief over the incident of irregularities in the counting of the donation box offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, and expressed confidence that the ongoing SIT and police action, initiated at the request of the Teerth Kshetra Nyas, will reach a decisive turn. It was expected of the Teerth Kshetra Nyas to ensure that no such incident occurs in the future which could hurt the reverence and deep faith of all Ram Bhakts toward the Ram Mandir,” the press release shared by RSS prachar pramukh Sunil Ambekar said.The Sangh further said it expected the Teerth Kshetra Nyas “to ensure that no such incident occurs in the future which could hurt the reverence and deep faith of all Ram Bhakts toward the Ram Mandir.”The alleged embezzlement of Ram Mandir donations surfaced on June 7. Based on a preliminary SIT report, an FIR was registered on June 25. So far, eight people associated with the temple’s donation collection and counting process have been arrested, while the investigation remains under way.The annual meeting, held from July 10 to 12, concluded in the presence of RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale and 226 karyakartas.According to the RSS, the meeting also reviewed organisational training conducted after March 2026. It said 83 Sangh Shiksha Vargs and 12 Karyakarta Vikas Vargs were organised across the country, training a total of 18,842 swayamsevaks.The training programmes focused on daily shakhas, Sangh karyapaddhati, Gram Vikas, Kutumba Prabodhan, disaster management and environmental awareness.Leaders also discussed plans to strengthen shakhas through the Shakha Vistar Yojana in September, reviewed activities conducted during the Sangh’s centenary year and charted out the remaining programmes.The meeting further discussed engaging people who participated in various centenary year events in social work and the Panch Parivartan initiative.The proposed travel schedule of Mohan Bhagwat for 2026-27 also came up for review.In addition, the RSS deliberated on issues related to the ongoing census, challenges arising from population imbalance, the growing menace of drug abuse and the need to prioritise de-addiction efforts.The meeting also discussed programmes to mark the 650th birth anniversary of Sant Shiromani Ravidas Maharaj, the release added.