Inquiry ordered after allegations of land grabbing by BJP leaders in Ayodhya

(PTI) Lucknow, Ta. 3

The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered an inquiry into reports of land grabbing by relatives of BJP leaders and government officials near the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

A report claimed that relatives of MLAs, mayors, SDMs and DIGs had bought land in Ayodhya after the landmark Supreme Court ruling paving the way for construction of Ram temple.

Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary Information Navneet Sehgal told reporters that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the revenue department to investigate the allegations.

After the Uttar Pradesh government's announcement, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra rejected the order, saying it was a sham. He has sought the intervention of the Supreme Court in the matter.

Addressing a press conference, he said that the issue should be investigated by the Supreme Court under Suo Moto as the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya was being carried out by its order. BJP leaders and officials have damaged the faith of those who donated for the Ram temple. The silence of Prime Minister Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath on this issue is raising many questions.

The BJP leaders have also damaged the religious sentiments of the people who donated for the Ram temple. He further alleged that the money of Ram Mandir Trust was being misused to benefit BJP, RSS and members of the trust. The land of Dalits has also been illegally bought by the officials and their relatives. The Rs 50 crore donated to the trust by the poor and common people has also been misused. He showed the land documents showing that the price of land had gone up by 1,200 per cent in just five minutes.

Earlier, Congress leaders had lashed out at the BJP government. Rahul Gandhi accused the Hindus of following the path of truth. While Hindutva runs loot in the name of religion. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Khadge also raised the issue in Rajya Sabha. Congress chief secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewale termed it a land scam and alleged that people associated with the BJP in Ayodhya were openly looting land.