Nagpur: The Sangh on Friday broke its silence on the alleged theft from donation boxes at Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, calling it deeply distressing that has hurt the faith and sentiments of millions of devotees.Urging stringent action against the guilty, RSS sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale in a statement said the newly built Ram temple has emerged as “a centre of reverence, faith and devotion” for Hindus worldwide after decades of struggle, sacrifice and mobilisation linked to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. “The theft in donation boxes at the Ram Lalla temple is extremely painful and has left us angry,” he said.The RSS statement noted the Uttar Pradesh govt under chief minister Yogi Adityanath has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) following a request from the temple Trust and initiated legal proceedings based on the panel’s recommendations. Hosabale said, “anyone found guilty after investigation should face severe punishment.”The Sangh also urged the Temple Trust to treat the episode as an “extraordinary matter” and immediately address shortcomings in management and operational systems to restore public confidence.The Nagpur-headquartered organisation stressed the need for “proper financial management, flawless and transparent operational systems” and an atmosphere rooted in “purity, sanctity and true dharmikta” to ensure that devotees’ faith in the Ayodhya temple remained “unbroken and steadfast.”The statement further called on the Hindu community to maintain “patience and restraint” and alleged “anti-Hindu and anti-national forces” could attempt to exploit the incident to malign Hindu society and religious institutions.The organisation maintained that while accountability and corrective action are essential, the unfortunate incident should not diminish the devotion associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi temple. It expressed hope the Trust’s response, coupled with a fair probe and improved governance standards, would help preserve the confidence of devotees and strengthen the institution’s credibility.As per RSS functionaries, the development assumes importance nationally because the Ayodhya Ram temple remains one of the most politically and religiously symbolic sites, drawing devotees from across the country and abroad since its consecration.Key Takeaways:• RSS says theft at Ayodhya Ram temple donation boxes has hurt devotees’ sentiments nationwide• Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale calls for strict punishment after SIT investigation• UP govt constituted SIT following request from Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust• RSS urges transparent financial and operational reforms in temple management• Statement stresses safeguarding faith of crores of Ram devotees• Sangh asks Hindu society to maintain patience & restraint• RSS alleges anti-Hindu and anti-national elements may attempt to exploit controversy• Ayodhya temple remains a major national religious and political symbol in India
