The Hindu‑based Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) International President Alok Kumar has written a letter to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that is handling the alleged embezzlement case linked to the Ram Temple project in Ayodhya. In the letter, Kumar urged the SIT to verify claims made by several opposition figures, including Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, AAP MLA Sanjay Singh, and Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav. He implied that these politicians were using the investigation to further their own political agendas.
Kumar’s letter, which was sent to the SIT’s investigation officer, was published by the Times of India on 13 February 2026. In it, he criticized the opposition for allegedly “misusing” the investigation and called on the SIT to “take their help” in countering what he described as “political attacks.” The VHP has long been a vocal supporter of the Ram Temple project, and its leadership has frequently positioned itself against opposition criticism of the temple’s construction.
The SIT is a judicially constituted panel that has been investigating financial irregularities related to the temple’s construction. The investigation began in 2023 after a complaint was filed by a coalition of opposition parties. The panel has been reviewing financial records, bank statements, and procurement documents related to the temple’s construction and associated activities.
The letter’s timing follows a series of public statements by the opposition leaders mentioned by Kumar. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has accused the government of misusing public funds for the temple, while Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh have called for a thorough audit of the project’s finances. Ram Gopal Yadav has similarly demanded transparency and accountability. These accusations were made in the context of a broader debate over the temple’s funding and the alleged diversion of state resources.
In response to the letter, the SIT’s investigation officer has not yet issued a public statement. The SIT remains under the oversight of the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Ayodhya, and its findings are expected to be released later this year.
Analysis:
The VHP’s public appeal to the SIT highlights the politicization of the Ram Temple investigation. By urging the SIT to scrutinize opposition claims, the VHP is positioning itself as a defender of the project against what it portrays as political sabotage. The opposition’s allegations, meanwhile, suggest that the investigation may uncover financial improprieties. The outcome of the SIT’s inquiry could influence public perception of the temple’s legitimacy and the political fortunes of the parties involved.
The letter underscores the broader pattern of political actors leveraging legal and investigative mechanisms to advance partisan objectives. Whether the SIT’s findings will validate the VHP’s criticisms of the opposition or confirm the opposition’s concerns remains to be seen.
Sources:
– “SIT should take their help: VHP chief’s dig at opposition amid Ram Mandir row.” Times of India, 13 Feb 2026. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sit-should-take-their-help-vhp-chiefs-dig-at-opposition-amid-ram-mandir-row/articleshow/132193520.cms
Story synopsis gathered from: Times of India – Top Stories — source
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