'Switch off CCTV, Ram temple offerings will return,' Akhilesh takes dig at BJP over donation row

NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday attacked BJP, accusing it of betraying both Lord Ram and the Constitution, while taking a sarcastic swipe at those allegedly involved in the Ayodhya Temple embezzlement case.Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Lucknow on his 53rd birthday, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister suggested that those responsible should voluntarily return the alleged misappropriated offerings."Lord Ram is so compassionate that if they (BJP) switch off the CCTV cameras and close their eyes for a little while, the offerings will automatically return. If the BJP appeals to those who have taken them, everything will come back," Yadav said."The first name of maryada (propriety) is Lord Shri Ram, and the second is the Constitution. The BJP has betrayed both. It has deceived both Lord Ram and the Constitution," he added.Referring to the outcome of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Samajwadi Party chief claimed that voters had acted to protect the Constitution and accused the BJP of now attempting to undermine it."The people saved the Constitution through their vote. Now the BJP wants to change the Constitution by poaching opposition MPs. This is a very serious issue," he said.The SP chief alleged that recent developments surrounding the Ram Temple had politically exposed the BJP. "By the grace of Lord Ram, what has happened has exposed them. Lord Ram himself has revealed their true face and shown the country the right direction," Yadav said.Referring to allegations of misappropriation of offerings made by devotees at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, he demanded that all valuables be returned."Whether or not the truth comes out, at least the silver should be returned, the gold should be returned, the diamonds and jewellery should be returned. The golden khadau and silver khadau should be returned," he said.Yadav alleged that the BJP was concerned that public donations could decline if people's faith was shaken."They are worried that daan and chanda (donations and contributions) may stop because these have become a major source of strength for elections. Corruption and resources have become the basis of forming governments. This poses a grave threat to democracy," he alleged.Accusing the BJP of hurting people's faith, Yadav said, "The BJP has played with the Constitution, faith and devotion. The people of this country are generous and innocent. The day when there will be no theft of Ram's wealth, that day you will see a change."When asked about visiting the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Yadav reiterated that Lord Ram belonged to all and not to any political party."I have answered this question many times. Lord Ram belongs to everyone. We believed in Lord Ram long before the BJP started claiming ownership over him. Ram Darbar has always been present in our homes and families, and we have always worshipped him," he said."There is no Sanatani family in India where this tradition does not exist. But today the BJP wants to decide everything: when people should visit the temple and how they should express their faith. This is not our tradition," he added.Yadav said he would visit a temple after the completion of the Kedareshwar Dham project in Etawah. "We are constructing Kedareshwar Dham. Once it is completed, we will go there for darshan," he said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.