Shimla, July 14: The Himachal Pradesh Congress on Tuesday staged protests across the state against the alleged embezzlement of donations made for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, accusing the BJP of shielding those responsible and demanding a transparent investigation.
In Shimla, the protest was jointly organised by the Shimla Urban and Rural District Congress Committees. Congress leaders and workers marched from Rajiv Bhawan, the state party headquarters, to the Ram Temple while singing devotional hymns in honour of Lord Ram.
Addressing the gathering, AICC spokesperson and Theog MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore alleged that the BJP was attempting to protect the main accused in the alleged scam and accused the authorities of carrying out a “cover-up” in the name of investigation.
“The Congress will not remain silent over this alleged betrayal of people’s faith. Those responsible must be held accountable,” Rathore said.
He further claimed that the BJP had used the Ram Temple issue for political gains and that people across the country had donated generously for its construction. Referring to the alleged financial irregularities, Rathore questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the issue, saying it had raised serious concerns.
Shimla Rural District Congress Committee president Harikrishan Himral said the party would intensify its campaign in the coming days. He announced that similar protests would be organised at the block and village levels across the district to highlight what he termed the BJP’s “politics in the name of Lord Ram.”
A large number of Congress leaders, elected representatives and party workers, including former MLAs, office-bearers of frontal organisations and district functionaries, participated in the demonstration.
