New Delhi, July 3 (IANS): Spiritual leader Dhirendra Krishna Shastri on Friday strongly condemned the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, describing the act as “not just a sin but a great sin.” He urged devotees and the public to maintain faith in the ongoing investigation and the country’s legal system.

Speaking to reporters after arriving at Ayodhya airport, Shastri said, “I have already spoken about this earlier as well, and I have said before that this is not a sin but a great sin, and God will punish it. But I would also like to say that we should all have trust in the law and order of the country and in the SIT, as the investigation is ongoing. I have full faith in the country’s legal system and the government, and all the accused will be punished…”

His comments come in the backdrop of a growing controversy surrounding the misappropriation of donations and offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Shastri visited Ayodhya to pay respects at the ashram of Mahant Sant Ram Das, the guru of the late Hanumangarhi priest Raju Das Ji, who recently passed away. After completing his visit, he is scheduled to depart from Ayodhya airport later in the day.

The Ram Mandir donation row gained momentum after the Trust’s Office In-charge Prakash Gupta highlighted irregularities linked to workers engaged by the State Bank of India (SBI) for counting offerings. Under an agreement between SBI and the Trust, the bank was responsible for the counting process and had deployed personnel for the task. Gupta noted that while a Trust member supervised the process, there was no immediate knowledge of the alleged theft.

Gupta emphasised that the Trust had no direct role in the alleged embezzlement. He pointed out that the workers brought by SBI for counting donations may have been involved. He further clarified that while anyone could level allegations against the Trust, the primary responsibility for the counting process rested with the bank as per the existing arrangement.

The controversy intensified after eight individuals were arrested in connection with the case. According to Gupta, the accused were associated with the counting operations. One of them, identified as Tinnu Yadav, reportedly oversaw counting activities and certain maintenance tasks within the temple premises.

The developments have drawn widespread public attention and reactions from various political and religious leaders, many of whom have called for complete transparency and strict accountability in the matter. The formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) reflects the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case.

Dhirendra Shastri’s measured response seeks to balance strong moral condemnation of the alleged wrongdoing with confidence in institutional processes. His call for trust in the SIT probe and the legal system aims to prevent the issue from escalating into unnecessary controversy while ensuring justice is served.

The incident has raised broader questions about the management and oversight of donations at prominent religious sites. As the investigation progresses, it is expected to shed more light on the exact circumstances of the alleged embezzlement and the safeguards needed to prevent future occurrences.

For devotees and followers, Shastri’s words offer reassurance that while the act itself is deeply condemnable, the institutions of the country remain capable of delivering justice. His visit to Ayodhya at this time also underscores the spiritual significance of the Ram Mandir and the need to preserve its sanctity beyond material concerns.

As the SIT continues its probe, all eyes remain on the outcome, which is likely to have implications for how religious trusts and financial partners manage public offerings in the future. The episode serves as a reminder of the importance of robust systems to protect the faith and contributions of millions of devotees who visit the sacred site.