Congress To Launch Satyagraha In Nashik Over Alleged Ayodhya Temple Donation Theft

The Maharashtra Congress has announced a statewide protest and "Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram" Satyagraha starting Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at the historic Kalaram Temple in Nashik. Led by State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal, the political party is protesting against the BJP and the RSS over the alleged theft of donations made to the Ayodhya Ram temple.

The protest is scheduled to officially launch at 11:00 AM at the Nashik temple, after which the Satyagraha will spread to all district headquarters across Maharashtra. The demonstrations are planned to run through July 14, 2024, taking place at local Ram, Shiva, or Hanuman temples.

State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal stated on Monday that Ram devotees have donated millions of rupees, alongside gold and silver jewellery, to the Lord Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He alleged that these donations were plundered by the BJP and the RSS.

According to Sapkal, the alleged embezzlement is not just a financial robbery but a crime committed against the faith of millions of devotees. The Congress party is demanding strict punishment for those responsible for pocketing the temple funds.

During the six-day Satyagraha, Congress party members plan to offer prayers to the deities. Sapkal stated these prayers are intended to grant sanity and good sense to the people who have allegedly pocketed money in the name of Lord Ram.

This announcement comes shortly after the Shiv Sena (UBT) initiated its own statewide "Ram Raksha Andolan" on July 5. Led by Uddhav Thackeray at the historic Hanuman Temple in Dadar, Mumbai, that protest also targeted alleged financial irregularities and missing gold ornaments offered to the Ayodhya temple.

The Congress-led demonstrations are expected to increase political tension across Maharashtra as local leaders coordinate protests at district temples over the coming days.