Former Union Home Secretary S. Laxmi Narayan has expressed renewed faith after a gold-plated copy of the Hindu scripture Ramcharitmanas, which he had gifted, was reinstated for public viewing at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. The sacred text had reportedly been removed from display for several months, causing Narayan to raise concerns amidst broader allegations of financial impropriety surrounding the temple’s donations.
Concerns Over Disappearing Scripture
Narayan initially gifted the ornate Ramcharitmanas to the temple, where it was displayed and worshipped for approximately five months. However, he later discovered it had been moved from public view and stored in a guard room. Feeling that his concerns were not being addressed by local temple authorities, Narayan escalated the issue, first approaching an RSS worker and then the RSS chief for assistance.
His efforts culminated in a direct appeal to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 24, following widespread reports of a donation scam at the temple. Narayan received a prompt response from the Chief Minister, assuring him that action would be taken. Subsequently, the gold-plated Ramcharitmanas was returned to its rightful place with due respect.
"My faith has been restored, and I am happy now," Narayan stated, adding that he believes "Hanuman ji, through the UP government, gave justice and taught a lesson to all those who were against it."
He further urged the Ram Mandir Trust to hold those responsible for the initial removal and the wider donation irregularities accountable, emphasizing the need for deterrent punishment.
Ram Mandir Trust Under Scrutiny
Narayan’s personal experience coincides with increasing public scrutiny of the Ram Mandir Trust. Allegations of theft and mismanagement of donations, including cash and jewellery, have prompted donors to question the transparency of the temple’s financial operations. Several individuals and communities who contributed to the temple’s construction have voiced concerns regarding the whereabouts and utilization of their offerings.
Notably, the Sindhi community has sought clarification on nearly 200 kilograms of silver bricks donated for the temple. Raju Manwani, a businessman representing the global Sindhi community, highlighted that around 200 devotees had contributed silver bricks on January 26, 2021. Despite the significant donation, no receipts were issued at the time, with donors being told that the use of the silver would be decided later. Recent reports of donation theft have led these donors to demand receipts and information on how their silver was utilized, expressing deep distress if their contributions were diverted from the temple’s intended purpose.