UP Congress chief Ajay Rai claims ‘arrest’ in Ayodhya ahead of Ram temple visit amid donation row

AMid the on-going disputation o'er the alleged defalcation of pound Janmabhoomi temple donations, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai on Tuesday alleged that he was arrested by the police after arriving in Ayodhya to offer prayers at the Ram temple with a party delegation.The Uttar Pradesh Congress also alleged that its state president, Ajay Rai, had been placed under house arrest in Ayodhya, calling the move a “cowardly attempt.”Reportedly, Rai had travelled to Ayodhya with a Congress delegation for a scheduled visit to the Ram Janmabhoomi temple. However, soon after reaching the city, he was allegedly taken into custody by the police.Also read | ₹5 lakh fine if Ram temple donation case accused represented: Ayodhya lawyers' body to members"> ₹5 lakh fine if Ram temple donation case accused represented: Ayodhya lawyers' body to membersReacting to the incident, Rai attacked the Uttar Pradesh government in a post on X (formerly Twitter), accusing it of acting out of fear amid the ongoing controversy over the alleged temple donation scam. "The dictatorship of the BJP government is at its peak! A delegation from the Uttar Pradesh Congress was scheduled to visit Ayodhya today, June 30th, to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Shri Ram. As soon as I arrived in Ayodhya, the BJP government panicked so much that the police arrested me from my hotel and are taking me away in their jeep. Why are these 'offering thieves'--who are involved in land scams and the theft of donations in Ayodhya--so afraid of Ram devotees coming here? This cowardly attempt to guard faith by those who run shops in the name of the Lord is highly condemnable. We will neither stop nor bow down!"Congress alleges another leader was detainedThe Congress also claimed that Pratapgarh district president Neeraj Tripathi, who was accompanying Rai during the Ayodhya visit, was detained by the police.In another post on X, the Uttar Pradesh Congress questioned the action taken against its leaders and said preventing devotees from visiting the Ram temple was unconstitutional.Also read | Weak safeguards at Ram temple; other major UP shrines follow tighter cash control“Has it now become a crime in UP to even have darshan of Lord Shri Ram Yesterday, that is, on 30 June, a program has been proposed for the Congress delegation, under the leadership of State President Shri Ajay Rai (@kashikirai) ji, to visit Ayodhya and have darshan and worship of Lord Shri Ram. But the BJP government, scared of this journey, has started cowardly actions! Just a short while ago, the Congress District President of Pratapgarh,@neeraj70001ji, has been placed under house arrest (detained) by the police without stating any clear reason," the post on X read. Donation scam investigation continuesThe latest political confrontation comes as the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir remains under investigation.On Monday, a local court in Ayodhya sent all the accused in the alleged donation scam to 14 days of judicial custody. The order came as the Uttar Pradesh Police continued its high-intensity probe into allegations of financial irregularities and the alleged misappropriation of funds and offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple.Also read | Cops collect evidence from SBI officials in Ayodhya Ram Temple donation caseMeanwhile, family members of the accused arrived at the Ayodhya District Jail to meet their relatives. Ravi Yadav, son of accused Tinnu Yadav, and Shani Yadav, brother of accused Manish Yadav, were seen visiting the prison where the accused are currently lodged.The alleged donation scam has now become the centre of a wider political confrontation in Uttar Pradesh, with the ruling BJP and Opposition parties exchanging allegations over the management of the temple's finances as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues its investigation.