Raj Thackeray alleges ₹18 crore annual donation theft at Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has alleged that around ₹18 crore in donations was being siphoned off every year at Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple, linking the claim to the ongoing controversy over alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Speaking at a public event, Thackeray claimed that temples were no longer safe from corruption and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the issue.

Links claim to Ayodhya Ram Temple row

Referring to the Ayodhya controversy, Thackeray alleged that ₹1,400 crore had been stolen from the Ram Temple, and said the issue had shaken public faith in temple administration.

He said many young people turn to temples in difficult times, but alleged that corruption had affected religious institutions as well.

Siddhivinayak theft claim

Thackeray said he was referring to a letter written by eight trustees of the Siddhivinayak Temple, which allegedly stated that employees involved in stealing money from the temple’s donation boxes had been caught.

According to him, the temple’s weekly donation collection increased from less than ₹50 lakh to ₹1.5 crore after the alleged theft was detected, and he claimed that ₹18 crore was being siphoned off annually.

Temple trust responds

Sada Sarvankar, chairman of the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust and a leader of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, confirmed that nine employees had been arrested in connection with alleged donation theft.

He said cases had been registered wherever required and rejected the broader allegation regarding temple finances.

Sarvankar said the increase in donations was due to administrative measures taken by the trust, adding that the temple’s annual income had risen from ₹114 crore two years ago to ₹182 crore.

Ram Temple case under investigation

Police have arrested multiple accused in the alleged donation theft case linked to the Ayodhya Ram Temple, and the investigation is ongoing.

The controversy has become a major political issue during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Political fallout

Opposition MPs recently staged a “donation theft” protest in Parliament over the Ayodhya issue.

Following the protest, an FIR was reportedly registered in Varanasi against Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav, and Awadhesh Prasad, while BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and other party leaders also filed a police complaint in Delhi.