Ayodhya, July 6 -- Stating that "theft is theft" and the SIT is currently investigating the Ram Mandir donation row, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj on Monday hit out over allegations by political parties on the issue, saying "sudden, performative surge of devotion to Ram among those who have historically opposed it is no ordinary phenomenon" and alleged that it is "driven by ulterior motives that the entire Hindu society must recognise".

Interacting with the media after the meeting of the Ram Mandir Trust, Swami Govind Dev Giri urged followers of Sanatan Dharma to "not give credence to such baseless rhetoric".

"Those who once fired upon Kar Sevaks and who submitted written statements...