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As the SIT investigation into the Ram Mandir donation case progresses, Advocate Hari Shankar Jain, on Friday, weighed in on the political discourse surrounding the Ram Mandir donation case, urging stakeholders to focus on facts rather than premature demands for resignations, adding, "resignation is warranted only if the facts establish guilt."
Speaking to ANI, Hari Shankar stressed that while accountability is paramount, resignation should be treated as a consequence of proven guilt rather than a response to unverified allegations. He said, "There is no doubt, based on the reports and investigations conducted, that there has been manipulation, embezzlement, and theft regarding the offerings made to Ram Lalla. The police will investigate and take action against those found guilty. However, that alone is not enough. We must take measures to prevent this from happening in the future and devise a foolproof system ensuring that not a single penny belonging to the deity is ever stolen or embezzled." He further clarified his position on the demand for accountability, stating the probe should be allowed to run its course to determine the extent of the involvement of the accused. "I do not wish to get into frivolous debates about who should resign and who shouldn't. One should not resign merely because allegations have been levelled. Resignation is warranted only if the facts establish guilt," Advocate Jain explained. Meanwhile, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Surendra Kumar Jain expressed strong confidence in the ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. Speaking to ANI, he asserted that the guilty will face consequences and emphasised that any act of betrayal involving the sacred offerings made by devotees would be met with strict legal action. He said, "... I am confident that the accused will receive such severe punishment that no one else will dare to commit any act of betrayal concerning the cause of Lord Ram... Now, questions are being raised about why certain other names are missing. Do they believe the investigation is complete only if specific names are included?" On the transparency and legitimacy of the ongoing probe, Jain questioned the intent of those seeking to include specific names without evidence. He said, "It is not possible for the SIT to simply include a name or for the police to register an FIR against someone just because they mention them. We live in a democracy... The Indian Constitution, the judiciary, and the entire administrative system of India do not operate at your beck and call... Are they trying to influence the process to ensure specific individuals are implicated? Challenging the critics to engage formally with the authorities, Jain asserted, I feel these people are destroying their own credibility. If anyone has a valid basis for their claims, I challenge them, even now, to approach the SIT... They should go to the police station and present their documents... They have attempted to insult the Ram Temple many times in the past..." Following the allegations, on June 14, the state government constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged scam involving offerings made at the Ram Mandir, following a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Trust. (ANI)
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