New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge on August 3, 2026, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could not evade accountability over serious allegations relating to the handling of offerings, donations and land transactions linked to the management of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust (Ayodhya Ram Temple), and demanded that he make a statement in Parliament. He said that the issue was directly linked to the faith of millions of devotees.

He said that the Trust was constituted by the Centre, with its formation announced by the Prime Minister in Parliament. He noted that the Centre had transferred over 70 acres of land to the Trust and that Modi had attended all major events connected with the temple, from the ‘bhoomipujan’ to the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony.

He further said that under these circumstances, the Prime Minister could not avoid accountability over the allegations.

Questioning the impartiality of the central investigative agencies, he said that the Prime Minister should come to the House and explain where agencies such as the ED, CBI and Income Tax Department were. He also said those responsible for the plunder in the name of Lord Shri Ram should apologise to the nation and stop misleading the public.

His address in the Rajya Sabha was interrupted by protests from Treasury Bench members, preventing him from completing his remarks.

Later, speaking to reporters in the Parliament complex, Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Opposition had demanded that the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha allow discussions under the relevant rules on the Ram Temple donation theft and the police excesses against students.

He said that a parliamentary debate would bring the truth before the country, but noted that the government was reluctant to allow such a discussion. Targeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Shri Kharge said that Shah had been consistently absent from the House and was either afraid of facing the Opposition’s questions or was disrespecting Parliament by staying away.

Speaking again in the Rajya Sabha later, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Shri Mallikarjun Kharge said that the only way to ensure the smooth functioning of the House was for the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to come to Parliament and make statements on these issues. He reiterated that the Opposition was ready for a discussion.