'We raised voice against alleged theft, not Lord Ram': Sanjay Raut hits back at Kiren Rijiju

His remarks came after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Opposition of being anti-Lord Ram for repeatedly raising the issue in Parliament.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday defended the Opposition's criticism of the alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement case, saying raising questions over the alleged theft of donations and valuables from the temple should not be equated with being "anti-Ram." His remarks came after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Opposition of being anti-Lord Ram for repeatedly raising the issue in Parliament.

Responding to the charge, Raut said, "There was theft in the Ram Temple. Is Lord Ram responsible for that? We raised our voice against the theft, and now we are being called anti-Ram. What kind of Hindutva is this? Money was stolen, donation boxes were looted, even ornaments and Sita Mata's mangalsutra were reportedly stolen. We raised these issues, and now we are labelled anti-Ram. Meanwhile, those responsible for the theft are being projected as Ram devotees." The Opposition has been raising the issue of alleged irregularities and embezzlement linked to donations at the Ram Temple, making it one of the key issues during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

On BJP's criticism that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been vocal about the July 20 student protest at Jantar Mantar but silent on the ongoing students' agitation in Jharkhand, Raut rejected the charge. "I do not accept that Rahul Gandhi is silent. I will never believe that Rahul Gandhi has ever remained silent on the issues of the people, students or youth. Jharkhand has its own government, and the movement there is being led locally. The first responsibility lies with those leading the agitation on the ground. Our leaders have already been part of the movement and have visited the site. If necessary, we will also go there. But the students should decide whether they want us to come. It is an independent movement," he said.

Raut also commented on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's interaction with members of Generation Z, saying engagement with young people was welcome but should also include students participating in protests. "That is a very good thing. But if this conversation had happened earlier at Jantar Mantar, if Mohan Bhagwat or others had come there and understood the pain of the students sitting on hunger strike, it would have been truly welcome. If you really want to meet Gen Z, then speak to those who were at Jantar Mantar, who faced tear gas and police action. Talk to them. That is the real Gen Z," Raut said. (ANI)