Arvind Kejriwal Accuses Amit Shah of Not Visiting Ram Mandir in Ayodhya
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using Lord Ram's name solely for political gains during a press conference in Delhi. Kejriwal claimed that the AAP is the "true sanatani" and has worked with genuine devotion towards its values, unlike the BJP.
Addressing the media, Kejriwal pointed out that 891 days have passed since the Pran Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of the Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya took place on June 22, 2024. He highlighted that during these two and a half years, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has not visited the temple even once to bow before the deity.
Kejriwal alleged that despite not visiting the temple, Shah has referred to the Ram Mandir more than 42 times in his speeches and interviews over the last 891 days. He claimed that on most of these occasions, the Home Minister sought votes in the name of Lord Ram and the temple.
The AAP chief further accused the BJP of "chadhava-chori," which translates to stealing offerings and donations made before the deity. He argued that if BJP members truly believed in Lord Ram, they would fear committing such a grave sin, knowing that God is omnipresent and watching their actions. Kejriwal added that every Sanatani is hurt and distressed by this alleged theft, suggesting that what has come to light so far is only a small glimpse of the total scale of the issue.
In contrast, Kejriwal claimed that only the AAP is working with genuine devotion for Sanatan. He noted that the AAP government is organising Bhajan Sandhyas in every city of Punjab, drawing participation from thousands of people.
Kejriwal also highlighted his party's track record in Delhi. He stated that when the AAP was in government in Delhi, it facilitated free teerth yatra (pilgrimage) for citizens to visit Ayodhya and several other religious sites. He added that the government is currently facilitating free pilgrimages to Khatu Shyam Ji, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mathura Ji, and Vrindavan Dham.
