Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the alleged embezzlement of donations linked to the Ram Temple has hurt devotees. He said the Ram Temple Trust is independent, so the Uttar Pradesh government cannot interfere directly in its affairs.

Yogi Adityanath said the state formed a Special Investigation Team after the trust asked for a probe, and action was taken after the Special Investigation Team report was received. He also said attempts by the Opposition, especially the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, to use the matter to discredit Ayodhya and Ram Janmabhoomi were unfair.