The Congress party has publicly questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s apparent silence on a donation controversy linked to the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya, saying the BJP’s stance on the issue exposes a moral failure and double standards.
K.C. Venugopal, a senior Congress leader, spoke at a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday. He said the BJP had “gone to great lengths” to promote the temple project, yet had not addressed allegations that large private donors had funneled money into the temple’s construction.
“We see a stark contrast between the BJP’s rhetoric about integrity and the reality of ignoring questions about the funds used for the temple,” Venugopal said. “This shows a moral failure and double standards.”
Venugopal also criticized the BJP’s failure to release detailed financial records related to the temple project. He called for a transparent audit of the donations and urged the government to release the BJP’s own financial disclosures on the matter.
The BJP has repeatedly defended the temple project as a historic and religious initiative. In a statement, the party said it had followed all legal and procedural requirements for the temple’s construction and that it had complied with court orders. The party has not yet released detailed financial documents related to the donations.
The controversy follows a broader debate in India about the role of religious institutions in public life and the transparency of funding for large-scale projects. Critics argue that the lack of disclosure raises questions about the influence of private donors on political decisions.
Analysis: The Congress’s criticism reflects ongoing tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition over issues of governance, transparency, and religious symbolism. The allegation that the BJP has not disclosed donation sources could impact public trust in the party’s claim of moral leadership. However, no independent audit has yet confirmed irregularities in the donation process, and the BJP has maintained that all procedures were legal. The outcome of any future audit or legal inquiry will determine whether the accusations hold substance.
Sources: Hindustan Times, “Congress questions PM Narendra Modi over Ayodhya Ram Temple donation row, shows BJP’s double standards,” 2026‑07‑02.
Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source
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