Belagavi, 12 July

 The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday expressed "grief" over the alleged irregularities in the counting of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya and voiced confidence that the ongoing SIT probe and police investigation would reach a "decisive turn".

The issue was discussed during the concluding day of the RSS' three-day Akhil Bharatiya Prant Pracharak Baithak held in Belagavi, Karnataka, attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale and 226 functionaries.

In a statement, the RSS said it expected the Shri RamJanmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Nyas to ensure such incidents do not recur and undermine the faith of devotees. The alleged embezzlement of temple donations came to light on 7 June, following which the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT). An FIR was registered on June 25 based on the SIT's preliminary findings. So far, eight people associated with the temple's donation collection and counting process have been arrested, while the investigation continues.

The meeting also reviewed RSS training activities conducted since March. A total of 83 Sangh Shiksha Vargs and 12 Karyakarta Vikas Vargs were organised across the country, training 18,842 swayamsevaks in shakha management, Sangh work methodology, village development, family values, disaster management and environmental protection.

Discussions focused on implementing action plans at the shakha level, expanding shakhas in September under the Shakha Vistar Yojana, reviewing centenary year programmes and planning the remaining events. The RSS also discussed engaging people connected through the centenary celebrations in social service and the Panch Parivartan initiative.

The proposed travel schedule of Bhagwat for 2026-27 was reviewed. The meeting further deliberated on issues related to the ongoing census, challenges arising from population imbalance, the growing menace of drug abuse and the need to prioritise de-addiction efforts. It also discussed programmes to mark the 650th birth anniversary of Sant Shiromani Ravidas Maharaj.