By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Haridwar, 15 Jun: Jagadguru Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara, Swami Yatindranand Giri, has expressed deep anguish over the alleged donation scam linked to the Ram Temple. In a message issued today, Giri observed that serious questions have arisen regarding the system and those responsible for overseeing it.
Swami Yatindranand Giri said his mind is deeply disturbed by the reports of irregularities in donations meant for the Ram Temple. He observed that responsibility cannot be evaded by those entrusted with managing the system.
The seer noted that the alleged scam has not been committed by any non-Hindu community but by some Hindus only, raising questions about the faith, character and moral values of the people involved. He reminded that similar controversies had surfaced in the past as well and referred to the alleged laddu scam at Tirupati Balaji temple and concerns raised over donations received at Vaishno Devi. He added that questions had occasionally been also raised regarding the management of Badrinath and Kedarnath too.
Referring to the present controversy concerning the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, Giri stated that neither the government nor the trust can effectively address the issue unless responsibility is clearly fixed. He noted that no trustee has yet come forward to accept accountability.
He said the responsibility does not rest solely with employees, but also with those occupying the highest positions in the institution and its trust. He added that a thief will commit theft, but the question is what the watchmen are doing. He also added that the chief functionaries and principal trustees of the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust should come forward and accept moral responsibility for the alleged irregularities.
The Juna Akhara leader further advocated that the administration and control of major temples should not remain in the hands of governments but should instead be entrusted to leading saints and seers who can oversee their functioning. He said that donations offered by the devotees should be utilised entirely for the promotion and propagation of Sanatan Dharma only.
Swami Yatindranand Giri said the principal trustees of the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust should come before the public and accept moral responsibility in connection with the controversy and ensure that necessary steps are taken to resolve the issue.
