Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of exploiting religion for money, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath defended the government’s actions
June 28, 2026: The political battle over the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya intensified on Sunday, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav launching a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party. Yadav alleged that the BJP had turned Sanatan Dharma into a business and claimed the ruling party was more interested in donations than religion. Referring to the alleged scam, he questioned how such irregularities could occur at one of Hinduism’s holiest sites and said the party would face public rejection in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. He also stated that he would visit the Ram Temple after the completion of a Shiva temple in Etawah, arguing that the real issue was corruption rather than his personal visit.
Responding during a public event in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused Akhilesh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party of opposing Hindu traditions while now attempting to claim credit for Ayodhya’s development. The chief minister urged the SP leader to visit the Ram Temple and alleged that the previous SP government had acted against Ram devotees, restricted religious events, and focused on appeasement politics. Adityanath also highlighted the BJP government’s efforts to develop Ayodhya and called for similar support for the liberation and development of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura.
The controversy has gained momentum after eight people linked to the temple’s donation management were arrested and around ₹80 lakh was reportedly recovered during the investigation. The FIR was registered following the preliminary findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which pointed to alleged irregularities in handling devotees’ offerings. The probe also led to the resignation of two senior members of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, while the investigation into the alleged financial misconduct continues.