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Brajesh Pathak said that the Uttar Pradesh government follows a policy of zero tolerance towards corruption and misconduct.

The Deputy Chief Minister also defended the ongoing police investigation into the alleged Ram Temple theft case, saying the probe was being conducted impartially. (Photo: PTI)
Amid the opposition’s attacks on the BJP over the alleged Ram Temple donation theft, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Friday accused the Samajwadi Party and the Congress of indulging in “appeasement politics” and defended the state government’s handling of the investigation.
Responding to allegations surrounding the alleged theft of Ram Temple donations, Pathak questioned why opposition parties were not asking about funds collected for the Babri Masjid.
“Ask about that. Is anyone questioning it? These people from the Samajwadi Party and Congress are only doing politics of appeasement. Just to attract Muslim voters, they are attacking Sanatan culture,” Pathak said.
VIDEO | Mirzapur: Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak on Ayodhya Ram temple donation controversy, says, “Was money collected for the Babri Masjid or not? It was collected, wasn’t it? Ask about that. Is anyone questioning it? These people from the Samajwadi Party and Congress… pic.twitter.com/wTHfmnKmMs— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 26, 2026
He asserted that the Uttar Pradesh government follows a policy of zero tolerance towards corruption and misconduct. “But what happened to the donations collected for the Babri Masjid? Ask about that too,” he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister also defended the ongoing police investigation into the alleged Ram Temple theft case, saying the probe was being conducted impartially.
“As for the questions being raised about influential people in the FIR, are you the police or are we the police? The police administration is conducting the investigation impartially. But ask one question to those in the Samajwadi Party and Congress who are indulging in appeasement politics. Ask them where that money went,” he said.
Pathak also alleged that illegal activities and terror funding were taking place in some madrasas, particularly in border districts.
“There is illegal activity taking place in madrasas, money is coming from outside, and terror funding is happening. In our border districts, what is going on in the madrasas? What are the maulanas doing there? People should think about that as well,” he alleged.
His remarks come amid a political slugfest over the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case, with the opposition targeting the BJP over the issue while the ruling party has accused its rivals of attempting to politicise the matter.
As many as eight people have been arrested so far in the case.
About the Author
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Chief Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
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