Udupi, June 27: Expressing deep anguish over the financial irregularities reported at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Sri Vishwaprasanna Teertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutth stated that such a grave misconduct should never have occurred at a sacred center of faith. Speaking to reporters in Udupi, the seer, who is also a trustee of the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, demanded stringent punishment for the culprits if the allegations are proven true.

Welcoming the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe initiated by the Uttar Pradesh government, the Swamiji emphasized the need for a swift and transparent investigation. “As a trustee, I have consistently offered administrative suggestions during meetings and visits. Since this involves a holy trust, the concerned officials should have maintained the highest level of trustworthiness,” he remarked. Addressing the serious allegations made by the Sindhi community regarding unacknowledged donations of 200 kg of silver, the seer noted that both donors and receivers share accountability, adding that while skipping receipts is a major blunder, the claim of non-issuance is hard to believe without a thorough probe.

When questioned about the reported resignation of Trust General Secretary Champat Rai, the Pejawar seer clarified that he had not received any official confirmation. “No such message has been posted in the official trustees’ WhatsApp group, nor have I received any direct communication from his personal number. He usually reaches out during key developments, so I am unaware of the exact situation there,” he stated.

Advocating for social welfare, the Swamiji reiterated his long-standing view on religious charity, stating that serving the poor is the truest form of devotion to Lord Rama. “Instead of offering hundreds of kilograms of silver to the temple, constructing 1,000 houses for the underprivileged, the downtrodden, and the distressed would have been a far greater service to Lord Rama,” he urged. Touching upon Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge’s remarks regarding the registration of the RSS, the seer briefly opined that registering the organization would effectively put an end to any ongoing controversies surrounding its status.

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