Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has alleged that donations at Mumbai’s Shri Siddhivinayak Temple were misappropriated during the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government, triggering a sharp political confrontation over the management of funds collected at major religious institutions.
Shinde raised the allegation in the legislative council on Friday while responding to opposition attacks over the suspected theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He said wrongdoing involving offerings made by devotees could not be defended, but questioned why those criticising the Ayodhya case had failed to act when alleged irregularities occurred at Siddhivinayak Temple.
The Shiv Sena leader did not provide documentary evidence or identify individuals in his council speech. His remarks appeared directed at the administration headed by former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and at officials appointed to the temple trust during the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s tenure.
Shinde acknowledged that the alleged diversion of offerings from the Ram Temple had hurt devotees and said those found responsible must face strict punishment. He then accused the opposition of applying different standards to allegations involving religious trusts under governments led by rival parties.
Former Siddhivinayak Temple Trust chairman Aadesh Bandekar rejected the accusation and called for a comprehensive investigation. Bandekar, an actor and Shiv Sena functionary, said he was prepared to face the harshest consequences if any misconduct was established during his tenure.
Bandekar said his term had ended three years ago and maintained that the trust’s financial dealings were transparent. He challenged the government to examine every voucher and transaction, saying no payment voucher carrying his name would be found. His response intensified the dispute by placing pressure on the state administration to substantiate Shinde’s statements through an official inquiry.
The allegations have revived scrutiny of the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust, which administers the prominent Lord Ganesh shrine at Prabhadevi. The trust receives substantial donations and supports medical treatment, education and other charitable programmes. Its administration is governed by state legislation, giving the Maharashtra government a significant role in appointing trustees and supervising its operations.
Questions over the trust’s functioning predate the current exchange. In December 2022, then deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced an investigation into alleged irregularities after the issue was raised in the legislative assembly. The allegations included concerns about expenditure, procurement and administrative decisions. Trust representatives denied wrongdoing and threatened defamation proceedings against those making unsubstantiated claims.
The latest confrontation unfolded against the backdrop of a widening investigation into suspected theft from donation collections at the Ram Temple. Eight people have been arrested, while investigators are examining the financial transactions of the accused and their relatives across nearly 50 bank accounts.
Investigators suspect that cash was removed during the counting of offerings on multiple occasions. A preliminary assessment identified dozens of suspected thefts over several weeks, raising questions about internal controls, surveillance systems and the supervision of staff handling donations. Nearly ₹8 million has been recovered, while the temple had received more than ₹5.8 billion in contributions by the end of March.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has responded with changes in its leadership and administrative structure. General secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra resigned amid the controversy, an interim secretary was appointed and a committee was formed to select a new chief executive officer.
Opposition parties have demanded an independent investigation, a forensic audit and greater disclosure of the temple trust’s accounts. Petitions seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry and judicial monitoring are due to be considered by the Supreme Court on July 13.
The Ram Temple controversy has also acquired electoral significance because of its association with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the approaching Uttar Pradesh assembly election. Opposition leaders have argued that the political leadership must accept responsibility for ensuring transparency at an institution that received nationwide donations and became central to the BJP’s political messaging.
The BJP and its allies have accused their opponents of exploiting the alleged theft to undermine the temple and provoke religious sentiment. Shinde’s intervention shifted part of that dispute to Maharashtra by linking the Ayodhya investigation with long-standing claims about Siddhivinayak Temple finances.
