Key facts
- Eight men have been detained by an Indian court in connection with alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
- The accused, some of whom worked at the temple, face charges of embezzlement.
- Police recovered approximately 7.98 million rupees ($85,000) from the arrested individuals.
- The detained men will remain in jail for 14 days.
An Indian court has detained eight men in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations and offerings at a newly constructed temple dedicated to Lord Ram in Ayodhya. The incident has become an embarrassment for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, which gained prominence due to its role in the temple's construction.
The grand temple, consecrated by Modi in 2024, is primarily funded by donations. The accused, some of whom were temple employees, were arrested last week. Police recovered approximately 7.98 million rupees ($85,000) from them. They have been ordered to remain in jail for 14 days.
The Ram temple is situated on a site with a contentious history. Hindus believe it to be the birthplace of Lord Ram, while a mosque, the Babri Masjid, was built on the site in 1528. A Hindu mob destroyed the mosque in 1992, leading to nationwide riots that resulted in approximately 2,000 deaths, predominantly among Muslims. In 2019, the Supreme Court awarded the site to Hindu groups for temple construction.
Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh where Ayodhya is located and a member of Modi's party, stated that those involved would face consequences.