AAP launches signature drive to press for action against ‘dacoity’ at Ram Temple

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launched a nationwide signature campaign on Sunday (July 12, 2026) demanding strict punishment for those involved in chanda chori (theft of offerings) from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal addressed people at a Sundarkand recitation in Japanese Park in Rohini Sector 10, which he called a gathering of Ram bhakts. He said that he was signing a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with devotees present at the event to demand justice.

He urged devotees across the country to organise Hanuman Chalisa recitals and collect signatures on the letter. “The movement should continue until the accused are hanged. We will not rest until those who committed this dacoity at Lord Ram’s home are brought to justice and hanged. This is Bhagwan Ram’s command and our sacred duty,” Mr. Kejriwal said.

He added that the “dacoity” has deeply hurt Ram bhakts across the world. “70 incidents of theft over 40 days were captured on CCTV. Then eight months of CCTV recordings were deleted. All of us kept demanding action. We believed that those at the top would do something. But now it has become clear that they will do nothing because people from their own party, their own organisations, and all their affiliated organisations are involved,” the former Chief Minister of Delhi said.

Loot ‘in Ram’s name’

He added that those who carried out this theft do not believe Ram is Bhagwan. “They only want votes in Ram’s name. They loot the country in Ram’s name. They loot the people in Ram’s name. They loot the government in Ram’s name. But they do not consider Ram to be Bhagwan,” Mr. Kejriwal said.

Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra said the event was a “political gimmick”. “Whenever Mr. Kejriwal finds himself politically cornered, he attempts to improve his political standing by organising Sundarkand recitations in Delhi. The gimmick is an effort to influence the Hindu voters of Punjab and other states where elections are due in the near future,” Mr. Malhotra said.

Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia said the campaign is being conducted to ensure that those who robbed the Ram Mandir and played with the faith of crores of Hindus receive the harshest possible punishment, so no one ever dares to commit such a sin again.

Addressing the Prime Minister, Mr. Sisodia added, “PM Modi, you describe yourself as a bhakt of Prabhu Shri Ram. If your faith is genuine, then bring the truth before the people. Do not protect the guilty. Ensure that they are punished. We hope that the truth will come to light, accountability will be fixed, and justice will be delivered.”