Expressing confidence that the SIT probe into the alleged embezzlement of funds at the Ayodhya Ram temple will bring the truth to light, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday (June 19, 2026) urged all parties to refrain from making baseless comments that could hurt the feelings of devotees.

He encouraged anyone with evidence related to the case to present it to the SIT, and warned that anyone found guilty, regardless of their position, would not be spared.

Mr. Adityanath made the remarks in Ayodhya on Friday (June 19, 2026), where a three-member SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government is investigating the alleged embezzlement of funds at the Ram temple.

In an address to all devotees of Lord Ram, he said, “At the [Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra] Trust’s request, we have ordered an SIT investigation. I assure you that this probe will bring the absolute truth to light. There is no doubt about that,” he said.

On June 13, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted an SIT following a request from the temple trust to probe allegations of misappropriation of donations received at the Ayodhya Ram temple.

The issue came to light on June 7, when Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav cited reports and claimed that crores of rupees from donations offered at the temple were missing and urged the courts to take cognisance of the matter.

The fund embezzlement row has triggered political sparring between the ruling BJP and the opposition parties.

On Friday (June 19, 2026), Mr. Adityanath also inaugurated and laid the foundation for 126 projects worth over ₹378 crore. This included a Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital in the Rudauli Assembly constituency and a statue of warrior Jhalkari Bai.

Speaking at the event, he said, “I request all devotees to remember that he (Lord Ram) has taught us the lesson of ‘maryada‘ [righteous conduct]. For 500 years, our ancestors struggled to reclaim the sacred site of Lord Ram. Let us wait just another 15 days. However, we must not be misled by those who seek to defame Ayodhya or insult the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.” Attacking the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, Adityanath said that these parties would never want Ayodhya to gain prominence, simply because they lacked the capability themselves and were unable to achieve it.

“These are the people who fired upon devotees of Lord Ram and wielded lathis against those who chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’. They questioned the very existence of Lord Ram and created every type of hurdle by deploying their lawyers in court to stall proceedings. They should stop lecturing us,” Mr. Adityanath stated.

He emphasised that any attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Ayodhya Dham should be discouraged.

Sharpening his attack, he asked, “Why didn’t those who ruled before 2017 make Kamakhya Dham a nagar panchayat [urban local body]? Why didn’t they provide solar panels to the poor under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana? Why could the poor not access rations back then? It was because they lacked sensitivity and the willpower to act. You held no significance for them. For them, their own family was everything. If jobs were available, only their kin would benefit and enjoy all the facilities.” Mr. Adityanath said Ayodhya developed because the public representatives were active, extended constant cooperation and worked alongside the administration with a spirit of teamwork.

“Ayodhya’s new avatar is precisely what the opposition dislikes. How could they tolerate this magnificent transformation of Lord Ram’s sacred Ayodhya? These are the very people who have not yet visited the Ram Janmabhoomi and who even prevented their own MLAs from visiting Ayodhya Dham,” he said.

Mr. Adityanath said that Minister and Unchahar MLA Manoj Kumar Pandey who, while he was in the Samajwadi Party, had suggested that all legislators should visit Ayodhya for worship, which was widely accepted.

“However, Akhilesh Yadav immediately put a stop to it. He declared that no one would go to Ayodhya for worship. Rather, they are people who believe in and worship Babar. Consequently, he rebuked Manoj Pandey and expelled him,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that Uttar Pradesh, which was once called a BIMARU State where youth lacked jobs, farmers were driven to distress, and daughters and traders felt unsafe, is today moving on a path of development.

Mr. Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh is no more a BIMARU state, and has emerged as a growth engine and a breakthrough force in India’s economy. He credited the progress achieved over the last nine years to collective efforts by all stakeholders.

“Because people placed their trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Lotus symbol, development and heritage are now being respected through a new Uttar Pradesh, a new Ayodhya and a new Rudauli,” he said.

He further said the double-engine government will also develop the sacred region located between the Saryu and Gomti rivers.

Published – June 19, 2026 06:02 pm IST