Akhilesh accuses BJP of ‘playing with faith’

Lucknow: Amid the ongoing probe into the alleged embezzlement of Ram temple donations, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday accused the BJP govt of “playing with people’s faith” and vowed to develop Ayodhya into a “peerless and unparalleled sacred city” if voted to power.Speaking to reporters in

Azamgarh

, he said the alleged theft of temple donations caused widespread concern among devotees. “Ayodhya is not just a city but a centre of faith for Sanatan followers in India and across the world. Any irregularity linked to temple offerings deeply hurts people’s sentiments,” he said.He claimed the govt was “forced to act under pressure” by constituting a SIT after the issue surfaced. He also questioned the manner in which the SIT submitted its preliminary report, alleging that it only raised further doubts.Targeting the BJP, he said, “For them, money has become the only religion. People’s faith has been compromised.” He also questioned how the alleged irregularities could have gone unnoticed despite the chief minister’s frequent visits to Ayodhya. “Where was the intelligence network?” he asked.In a post on X, SP chief reiterated his party’s commitment to Ayodhya, saying the SP would develop it into a global spiritual destination offering a “true and unparalleled experience of faith.”

The remarks come weeks after the SP flagged alleged financial irregularities in the handling of Ram temple donations, triggering a political row and subsequent investigation.SP chief vows to develop Ayodhya into a global spiritual city if returned to powerAkhilesh Yadav pledged to transform Ayodhya into an exemplary spiritual city if his party returns to power, saying it would be developed as a global centre of faith where devotees from across the world could experience “true spirituality.”

He said the SP was committed to developing Ayodhya with “religious integrity and honesty” and would work towards restoring the city’s spiritual, cultural and traditional glory.“We solemnly resolve, with religious devotion and sincerity, that after forming the new govt, we will develop Ayodhya into an unparalleled and exemplary religious city where devotees from across the world will experience the unique essence of true spirituality,” he said.Invoking the blessings of Lord Ram, he said the SP govt would strive to re-establish Ayodhya’s Sanatan heritage by nurturing it as a “Siyaram Dham” founded on faith, devotion, unwavering belief and genuine spiritual values.He also said the proposed development model would safeguard and restore the traditional pride, dignity and rights of Ayodhya’s residents while ensuring that the city’s religious and cultural identity remained at the centre of its future growth.