AICC President and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi interact. File image: AICC/ANI Photo
The Congress president and the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and his party colleague and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have sent a joint letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to conduct “an independent and comprehensive investigation of financial affairs” of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
Also read | Faith and its fallout The letter, released on Sunday (July 19, 2026), just a day before the Monsoon session gets underway, seems to set the stage for a stormy session of Parliament.“You are aware of the theft of thousands of crores in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Lakhs of devotees who donated their hard-earned money with faith, devotion and trust are feeling betrayed by the theft,” the Opposition leaders said in the letter dated July 18, 2026.The Trust was set up by the Prime Minister on the instructions of the Supreme Court of India, but its members were entirely selected by the government, the Congress leaders saidOur joint letter to PM Modi demanding an independent and comprehensive investigation into the financial affairs of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Lakhs of devotees who donated their hard- earned money with faith, devotion and trust are feeling betrayed by the… pic.twitter.com/FxrQA0YDk7— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) July 19, 2026“It is public knowledge that the members of the Trust are affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and its affiliates. Its disgraced former General Secretary was also your close associate. Your silence now in the face of such a crime is unacceptable. It is your duty to ensure accountability and restitution,” they said.Mr. Kharge and Mr. Gandhi urged Mr. Modi to “order an independent and comprehensive investigation into the financial affairs of the Trust, including the handling of all offerings including cash, gold, silver”. “The findings and the Trust’s accounts should be made public so that every devotee knows how their offerings have been utilised. All those found responsible must be held accountable, irrespective of position or influence. The credibility of your government and the Trust rests on how transparently and swiftly you act. The people of India are watching,” they said. Published - July 19, 2026 11:04 am IST
