India's Ram Temple donation scandal leads to arrests and community backlash

Former Ayodhya litigant Iqbal Ansari praised the central and Uttar Pradesh governments for quickly arresting those accused of misappropriating donations intended for the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. He said the swift legal action, supported by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has kept devotees' faith intact despite the controversy. The case remains under investigation by a Special Investigation Team, and the Supreme Court is set to hear petitions seeking a court‑monitored probe.

Separately, leaders of Ayodhya’s Sindhi community convened a press conference to defend a donation of 200 silver bricks to the temple. Representatives from the World Sindhi Seva Sangam and local Sindhi groups argued that the donation reflects religious devotion and warned that politicising the matter harms the community’s reputation. They urged that the contribution should not be used to fuel broader controversies.

The twin developments highlight ongoing political and communal tensions surrounding the funding of the newly built Ram Temple in Uttar Pradesh.