New Delhi, August 12: Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Wednesday moved an Adjournment Motion notice in the Lok Sabha, seeking a discussion on alleged theft, misappropriation, and irregular handling of temple donations and valuables across the country.

In his notice, Tagore said recent reports of alleged irregularities in the handling of donations and offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya had raised concerns among devotees and the public. He pointed to reported lapses in security and cash-counting procedures, saying they had raised questions about accountability and supervision.

“Temples across India receive substantial donations in the form of cash, gold, silver, jewellery and other valuables from devotees. Any theft or misappropriation of such offerings is not merely a financial offence but also a serious breach of public trust and religious sentiments,” the notice stated.

Tagore sought details from the government on the extent of reported theft and misappropriation of temple donations and valuables, along with information on the action being taken against those responsible.

He also sought clarification on measures to strengthen CCTV surveillance, security, auditing, cash-counting and inventory systems at major temples. The Congress MP further asked whether the government plans to introduce stronger and more transparent mechanisms to audit and safeguard devotees’ donations and prevent similar incidents at other religious institutions.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Manish Tewari also submitted an Adjournment Motion notice in the Lok Sabha, seeking a discussion on the contours of a new Anti-Defection Law.

Tewari proposed suspending Question Hour, Zero Hour and all other listed business of the day to discuss measures aimed at preventing mass political defections driven by opportunism and lacking genuine ideological or policy differences.

He said the proposed law should also protect “honest and critical dissent” both inside and outside Parliament and state legislatures.

“I move that this House do suspend Question Hour, Zero Hour and all other listed business of the day to discuss the contours of a new Anti-Defection Law that proscribes Mass Political Defections driven by opportunism and bereft of any genuine ideological or policy differences while simultaneously providing space for honest and critical dissent both inside and outside Parliament and the legislatures,” Tewari said in his notice.