‘Influential people’ spared: Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand targets Ram Temple probe, calls BJP’s Hindutva ‘Fake’.

Ayodhya Ram Temple Donation Controversy Deepens as Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati  Questions Probe, Fresh Allegations Surface against Shankaracharya. 

Upendra Bharti / Neetu Jain / Ram Prasad Tiwari | HENB | New Delhi/Ayodhya/Sambhal | June 26, 2026:: The controversy surrounding the alleged embezzlement of donations collected at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya intensified on Friday after Jyotirmath Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati questioned the scope of the police investigation, alleging that only lower-level employees had been booked while those allegedly responsible for larger financial irregularities remained untouched.

Speaking to reporters in Sambhal during his ongoing Gau Dharma Yatra, the seer criticized both the investigation into the alleged donation scam and the functioning of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, claiming that the temple’s administration had not followed traditional religious principles.

Questions Over FIR and Investigation

Swami Avimukteshwaranand alleged that the First Information Report (FIR) primarily targeted employees responsible for counting cash donations rather than those who might have overseen the handling of funds after they were counted.

According to him, individuals engaged in counting currency notes could only have had limited access to cash, whereas any alleged large-scale embezzlement would necessarily involve more influential persons.

His remarks came shortly after eight persons named in the FIR were arrested in connection with the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations.

The FIR was registered on the complaint of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust member Krishna Mohan following recommendations made in the preliminary report of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government.

Police have named nine primary accused along with several unidentified persons, while the investigation is currently being supervised by the Circle Officer of Ayodhya.

Criticism of Ram Temple Trust

The Shankaracharya also questioned the composition of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, alleging that it was formed by political leaders rather than eminent religious authorities.

He claimed that the Trust ignored the guidance of scriptures, the Vedas, and traditional Hindu religious institutions in managing temple affairs.

According to him, if transparency and religious propriety had been the primary objective, the Trust could have been entrusted to the country’s four Shankaracharyas, Ramanandacharya and other respected saints instead of individuals selected through political considerations.

Opposition’s Role Defended

Swami Avimukteshwaranand also defended opposition parties for raising questions regarding the alleged financial irregularities.

He argued that if there had been no substance to the allegations, authorities would not have eventually constituted an SIT or registered an FIR following preliminary inquiries.

According to the seer, the very fact that an investigation was initiated indicated that the allegations warranted scrutiny.

Sharp Attack on BJP

The Shankaracharya also launched a sharp political attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that its interpretation of Hindutva was not rooted in traditional Vedic teachings.

He claimed that genuine followers of Sanatan Dharma adhere to the Vedas, scriptures and guidance of their gurus, whereas political interpretations of Hindutva often diverged from those traditions.

His remarks come amid continuing political debate surrounding the alleged donation scam.

Trust Leadership Resigns

Amid the controversy, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust chief Champat Rai and Trust member Anil Mishra reportedly resigned from their respective posts, taking what was described as moral responsibility while the investigation continues.

Meanwhile, all the accused named in the FIR have reportedly been arrested.

Gau Dharma Yatra and Political Outreach

During his visit to Sambhal, Swami Avimukteshwaranand welcomed the Uttar Pradesh government’s initiative to restore ancient pilgrimage sites in the region, popularly associated with Kalki Nagari.

However, he criticized the demolition of temples in Varanasi, saying history would judge such actions harshly.

The seer said his Gau Dharma Yatra, which began on May 3, has covered nearly 170 Assembly constituencies across Uttar Pradesh with the objective of encouraging voters to support candidates committed to cow protection in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Rejecting allegations that the campaign was intended to benefit any particular political party, he said any political formation was free to adopt policies supporting cow protection.

He remarked that the BJP could gain politically if it declared the cow as “Rajmata,” but noted that the party had not done so.

Fresh Allegations Against Swami Avimukteshwaranand

In a significant development, Swami Govindanand Saraswati, a disciple of the late Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, levelled serious allegations against Swami Avimukteshwaranand regarding donations allegedly collected outside the framework of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

Speaking to ANI, Govindanand Saraswati claimed that after the Trust was constituted in February 2020, Swami Avimukteshwaranand allegedly continued collecting gold, silver and cash donations through campaigns conducted in nearly 1,000 villages.

Govindanand stated that he has written to the Special Investigation Team claiming to possess documentary evidence supporting his allegations.

He has requested both internal and independent investigations into the alleged collection of valuables and urged authorities to seize properties and initiate strict legal action if any wrongdoing is established.

He further alleged that valuables collected by his late guru were later taken into possession by Swami Avimukteshwaranand following the guru’s death in 2022.

According to Govindanand Saraswati, he had previously communicated these concerns through letters addressed to various state chief ministers, the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust and Ayodhya police in June 2024, while also informing Trust General Secretary Champat Rai.

No Public Response Yet

As of the latest available reports, Swami Avimukteshwaranand has not publicly responded to the allegations made by Govindanand Saraswati.

Media reports stated that the seer has been observing a period of silence and meditation during his ongoing Gau Dharma Yatra when journalists sought his reaction.

SIT Investigation Continues

The Special Investigation Team’s probe into the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations remains ongoing.

Investigators are continuing to examine documentary evidence, financial records and witness statements. Officials have indicated that further legal action has not been ruled out if additional evidence emerges during the course of the investigation.

The controversy has attracted nationwide attention because of the immense religious significance of the Ayodhya Ram Temple and the substantial public donations received for its construction.

While criminal proceedings have commenced against those named in the FIR, broader questions concerning financial transparency, governance, accountability and administrative oversight within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust continue to remain under investigation.

Note: The allegations made by Swami Avimukteshwaranand and Swami Govindanand Saraswati are claims made by the respective individuals. They remain subject to investigation, and no court has established criminal liability regarding those specific allegations beyond the ongoing proceedings against the accused named in the FIR.

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_Agency Inputs.