Nation demanding account of Ram temple donations; ‘chanda chors’ can’t evade accountability: Congress
The Congress party on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, stepped up its criticism of the Narendra Modi-led government over allegations of theft involving donations made for the Ram temple. The opposition party said that those responsible for handling public donations must be held accountable and should not escape questions about how the money was used. It also stressed that religious faith should not be used as a reason to avoid financial transparency.
The Congress strongly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the issue and demanded answers about the donations collected for the Ram temple. The party used the term “chanda chors,” meaning donation thieves, to target those it believes should answer questions about the alleged irregularities. It said devotees have the right to know how their contributions were collected, managed and spent.
The opposition party also raised concerns about warnings reportedly mentioned in audit reports and allegations of commission-taking in connection with the temple project. It argued that these issues require a clear explanation from the authorities responsible for managing the donations. However, the allegations need to be examined through the relevant records and any official investigation before responsibility can be established.
The Ram temple in Ayodhya holds deep religious and cultural importance for millions of devotees across India. Many people contributed money towards the temple’s construction as an expression of their faith. Because these contributions came from devotees, the Congress argued that there should be complete transparency in the way the funds are handled.
The party maintained that donations made in the name of religion must be managed carefully and honestly. It said that religious institutions and the organisations responsible for handling their funds should provide proper accounts whenever questions arise about financial transactions. According to the Congress, the faith of devotees does not give anyone the right to avoid scrutiny or accountability.
The controversy has also renewed the political dispute between the Congress and the BJP. The Congress has used the allegations to question the government’s response and demand greater transparency, while the issue places renewed attention on the management of donations connected to one of India’s most significant religious projects.
The demand for accountability is central to the controversy, as questions about donation management can affect public confidence in the institutions responsible for handling the money. Clear explanations, proper financial records and an impartial examination of any suspected irregularities would help establish the facts.
The Congress has continued to press the issue, insisting that the public deserves answers about the allegations. The matter is likely to remain a point of political debate as the opposition seeks further clarification regarding the audit warnings and alleged financial irregularities.