Udupi: Sri Vishwaprasanna Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt has said he cannot comment on the alleged financial irregularities at the Ram Temple Trust until the trust's next meeting. The seer, a member of the trust's governing board, told media in Udupi that the meeting scheduled for July 11 will take up the matter for discussion. Only after attending that meeting and gathering full details will he offer a response, he added.
On the serious allegation that the Sindhi community's donation of 200 kg of silver was neither properly acknowledged nor recorded, the seer stressed shared responsibility. "Both the donor and the recipient have equal accountability. Large donations must be accompanied by official receipts at the site itself. If the receipt is not issued, it is a grave mistake. Mere verbal statements should not be the norm," he said. He noted that while the accusers may have some basis, he found it hard to immediately believe that such a substantial donation went without any receipt.
The seer welcomed the SIT investigation into the allegations. "If wrongdoing has occurred, a thorough probe must happen, and those found guilty must face legal punishment," he insisted. "Such incidents should not take place at a site that is a centre of faith for millions of devotees in India and abroad. If the allegations are true, it is highly condemnable. The truth must come out quickly."
Regarding his own role as a trustee, Swamiji said he had consistently offered administrative suggestions during meetings. "I trusted and advised. Those responsible also needed to be trustworthy," he remarked. On the reported resignation of trust general secretary Champat Rai, the seer clarified that no official message had come through the trust's WhatsApp group or from Rai personally. "I am not aware of what developments have taken place there," he said.
Reiterating his earlier stance, the seer called for prioritising social service over large donations to the temple. "Instead of donating 100 kg of silver, build homes for a thousand poor people. Helping the underprivileged and the downtrodden is true Ram Seva," he urged. He expressed confidence in the state government's investigation and, on the RSS registration issue, said official registration of any organisation reduces scope for baseless allegations.
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📰 Source: Udupi Times