Maharashtra protests over alleged Ayodhya Ram temple donation theft as parties trade accusations

Mumbai: Amid the ongoing controversy over the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, accusing him of remaining silent over alleged irregularities at Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple during his tenure as Chief Minister.Speaking to the media, Shinde said, "Yashwant Killedar, an MNS leader, held a press conference. In my reply yesterday, I raised the issue of that press conference. I asked why, when alleged discrepancies at the Siddhivinayak Temple came to light, Uddhav Thackeray, who was the Chief Minister at the time, did not order an investigation."#WATCH | Nagpur | Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde says, "Yashwant Killedar, an MNS leader, held a press conference. In my reply yesterday, I raised the issue of that press conference. I said that when there were discrepancies at the Siddhivinayak Temple, why did Uddhav… pic.twitter.com/raFG6MMA4y— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2026 Shinde targets Uddhav ThackerayReferring to the Ram Mandir donation controversy, Shinde added, "Today, however, he is talking about the Ram Temple. Ram Raksha is a matter of faith and devotion for millions of Ram devotees. An investigation into what happened is underway, and no one will be spared."According to India Today, during the Maharashtra Assembly session, Shinde targeted the opposition, particularly former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT), questioning their handling of alleged irregularities involving donations at Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple while defending the Uttar Pradesh government's response to the Ram Mandir donation controversy.During his speech, Shinde held up a document and alleged that there had been mismanagement and irregularities involving donation boxes at the Siddhivinayak Temple under the previous administration. He questioned why no action or inquiry had been initiated at the time.Uddhav Thackeray Targets BJP Over Alleged Ram Mandir Donation Theft, Launches 'Ramraksha Andolan'"When your political associates were caught looting the donation boxes of the Siddhivinayak Temple, why did you not order a probe back then?" Shinde said. "I have documented proof showing the mismanagement that occurred under your watch," he added.Ram Mandir probe underwayShinde's remarks come amid an intense political exchange between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition over the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The issue has triggered a major political controversy, with both sides blaming each other over governance, accountability and ideological commitments.Meanwhile, following the controversy, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to investigate the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Mandir. Several individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, and the investigation is currently underway.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/ 

On Sunday, Thackeray launched the Ram Raksha Andolan against the alleged donation theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Congress will launch a statewide protest from Tuesday against the BJP and the RSS over the alleged theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram temple. State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal earlier on Monday said, “Ram devotees have donated millions of rupees, along with gold and silver jewellery, to the Lord Ram Temple in Ayodhya."However, he alleged that the donations made by devotees were plundered and also slammed the BJP and the RSS."This is not just a robbery of money or donations, but a robbery committed in the name of Shri Ram against the faith of millions of devotees,” the Congress leader said.Ram Temple Trust Accepts Champat Rai, Anil Mishra's Resignations Amid Donation Theft Probe He said the Congress party would demand strict punishment for those responsible, alleging that the BJP and the RSS had plundered Lord Ram. He added that the protest would be officially launched on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the historic Kalaram Temple in Nashik. Following the launch, a statewide 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram' Satyagraha will be organised across all districts from July 9 to July 14. The Satyagraha will be held at local Ram, Shiva or Hanuman temples at the district headquarters, Sapkal said.During the protest, Sapkal stated that prayers would be offered to the deity to "grant sanity and good sense to the deceptive people who have pocketed money in the name of Maryada Purushottam Lord Ram".Babus, mantris & buzz: Will Modi-Shah decide on the CEO of Ram Mandir Trust, Ayodhya? The Congress party's announcement comes a day after the Shiv Sena (UBT) launched a statewide "Ram Raksha Andolan" on July 5, protesting alleged large-scale financial irregularities and the embezzlement of donations at the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya. Party chief Uddhav Thackeray kicked off the agitation at the historic Hanuman Temple in Dadar, Mumbai, where he led a Ram Raksha Maha Aarti alongside party workers and a group of sadhus visiting from Ayodhya.The protest centred around the simultaneous chanting of the Ram Raksha Stotra and the Hanuman Chalisa, which the party intends to replicate across various districts. Ram Temple Donation Theft Probe Examines Tinnu's Links To Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav Prominent UBT spokespersons and leaders demanded the immediate dissolution of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, asserting that standard administrative accountability must be enforced over holy funds. Uddhav Thackeray and MP Sanjay Raut mounted a fierce offensive against the ruling party.Raut levelled specific accusations, claiming that, beyond cash, valuable gold ornaments, a golden Ramcharitmanas and a gold mangalsutra offered by devotees to Mother Sita had gone missing.Thackeray reminded the public of the Shiv Sena's history in the original Ram Janmabhoomi movement, stating, “We are staunch and patriotic Hindus. Hindus are innocent, but they are not fools. If someone loots a temple by taking advantage of our faith, Hindus won't forgive."(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the BJP over the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Mandir, questioning the safety of other major Hindu pilgrimage sites.Addressing party workers and devotees during the launch of the statewide 'Ramraksha Andolan' at the historic Hanuman Temple at Dadar, Thackeray said, “If this is just a glimpse of Ayodhya, how much will they loot Kashi and Mathura?” He alleged that those who came to power in the name of Lord Ram had failed to protect the faith and trust of Hindus.The agitation began with a Maha Aarti, followed by the recitation of the Ramraksha Stotra, Hanuman Chalisa, and Maruti Stotra. Thackeray appealed to Hindus across the country to remain vigilant, asserting that while Hindus are simple and devout, they are “not foolish” and would not forgive those who misuse religion for political gains.Mankhurd House Collapse Kills Six Amid Mumbai Monsoon Fury; Tree Fall, Building Collapse Add To Weekend Toll Recalling Shiv Sena's role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Thackeray claimed that Shiv Sainiks had actively participated in kar seva, shila pujan, and the Ram temple campaign. He accused the BJP of exploiting Hindutva while attempting to weaken the Shiv Sena after coming to power.Referring to reports of alleged irregularities at religious institutions, Thackeray also cited claims of thefts and mismanagement at temples including Kedarnath, Badrinath and Ujjain, and questioned the whereabouts of donations and silver bricks contributed by devotees to the Ayodhya Ram Temple.Reacting to the protest, Devendra Fadnavis welcomed Thackeray's renewed focus on Lord Ram. “I am happy that Uddhavji has finally remembered Ram. He had abandoned Ram's path, which led to his party's decline. If he follows Ram's path, it will benefit him. He should recite the Ramraksha every day, not just today,” Fadnavis said.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has announced a "Ram Raksha" protest starting July 5, alleging embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram temple. He called for accountability from the BJP, citing sacrifices made during the temple movement and questioning if funds were used to poach opposition leaders. Thackeray vowed that "Hindus will not forgive" such alleged "loot in the name of Hindutva."

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday announced a “Ram Raksha” agitation from July 5 in Maharashtra, urging people to join the protest to hold the BJP accountable over the alleged donation embezzlement at the revered Ayodhya temple. Thackeray said they will gather at the Hanuman temple at Dadar in central Mumbai on Sunday (July 5), recite the “Hanuman Stotra” and “Hanuman Chalisa” and pressure the BJP to take responsibility for the “theft” at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.STORY | Ayodhya temple donations row: Uddhav announces ‘Ram Raksha’ protest in Maharashtra from July 5Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday announced a “Ram Raksha” agitation from July 5 in Maharashtra, urging people to join the protest to hold the BJP accountable… pic.twitter.com/041bvSFLwg— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 3, 2026 “I appeal to all those agitated over this alleged large-scale theft at the Ram temple to join us and hold the BJP accountable for it,” Thackeray told reporters here.Claiming that people across the country were facing multiple hardships, Thackeray said there was “chaos” and “indifference” towards public issues despite the BJP being in power at the Centre and in several states.He said many Hindus, including members of the undivided Shiv Sena, had participated in the Ram temple movement and had endured hardships, including atrocities on “karsevaks”, the Godhra train burning, the Ahmedabad riots and the Mumbai serial bomb blasts, but alleged that the BJP had politically capitalised on these events and was now enjoying “unchecked power”.VIDEO | Reacting to Uddhav Thackeray's announcement of a statewide 'Ram Raksha Andolan' over the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations, Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane says, "It is only now that someone acting like a 'Pakistan agent' remembers the Ram Temple. When he… pic.twitter.com/mzem9GFhYR— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 3, 2026 The former Maharashtra chief minister also accused the saffron party of engineering defections and horse-trading of opposition legislators, asking whether the ruling party was carrying out an “Operation Ram Mandir”.Referring to allegations circulating on social media and in the public domain regarding alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya temple, Thackeray questioned whether the allegedly stolen money had been used to poach opposition leaders.Invoking former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s famous remark, “Ab Hindu maar nahi khayega”, Thackeray said, “Now I want to say, ‘Ab Hindu maaf nahi karega’.” He demanded strict punishment for those allegedly involved in alleged theft from the Ram temple donation boxes, stressing that “loot in the name of Hindutva” would not be tolerated.Ram Temple Donation Scam: Ayodhya Lawyers Demand FIR Against Trust Officials As SIT Probe Deepens Thackeray also alleged that the BJP’s slogan of “Mandir wahi banayenge” had turned out to be a facade and said the sacrifices made by those who participated in the Ram temple movement would not be allowed to go in vain.The alleged embezzlement of Ram temple donations came to light on June 7. Later, an FIR was registered on June 25 following a preliminary report by the Special Investigation Team, which was constituted by the UP government.Eight persons associated with the temple's donation and counting process have been arrested in the case, and the investigation is continuing. (Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)