The impact of the alleged theft of offerings in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple is now clearly visible on the way devotees donate. The number of visitors to the temple has remained the same as before, but the cash offerings in the donation boxes are continuously decreasing. Instead of putting cash in the donation box, devotees are now preferring to donate through a more transparent system by getting a receipt printed or through online mode.
According to bank sources, in the month of June, an average of Rs 20 to 24 lakh was being deposited in the bank every day as temple donations. In July, this figure kept falling continuously and by July 10, the daily deposit amount reached below Rs 10 lakh. According to the available data, about Rs 14 lakh were deposited on July 5, while on July 10 it came down to about Rs 9.15 lakh.
Donation increased through digital and receipt
Sources say that after the alleged controversy of theft of offerings, the trust of devotees has increased towards receipt based and digital donation system instead of donation boxes. There has been no significant decrease in the number of people coming to the temple for darshan, but a big change is being seen in the way of donating.
A donation counter operator of the temple also confirmed this and said that for the last few days, most of the devotees are going to the donation counter and depositing donations with receipt or making online payment. Much less cash is being put in the donation boxes than before. The devotees who are also making offerings in the donation boxes are mostly putting small notes of Rs 10, 20 and 50.
Donation figures in July
July 5: Rs 14 lakh
July 6: Rs 13.20 lakh
July 7: Rs 12 lakh
July 8: Rs 11 lakh
July 9: Rs 10.25 lakh
July 10: Rs 9.15 lakh
Supreme Court asked for status report
The Supreme Court on Monday sought a status report from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttar Pradesh government. This team is investigating alleged misappropriation of donations received for Ram temple in Ayodhya. The court has also sought reply from Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The court said, “We direct the SIT formed by the Uttar Pradesh government to submit the status report. List this case for further hearing on next Monday. Along with this, also give information about the members of the SIT in the status report.”
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