Congress Protests MMDR Amendment, Demands Probe into Ram Temple Donation Allegations

The Ranchi District Congress Committee and Ranchi Mahanagar Congress Committee jointly organised a one-day protest in Ranchi on Thursday, demanding the withdrawal of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, and an impartial inquiry into allegations of irregularities and lack of transparency in donations collected for the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The protest was organised under the joint leadership of Ranchi District Congress Committee president Somnath Munda and Ranchi Mahanagar Congress Committee president Dr Kumar Raja. Senior Congress leaders, elected representatives and party workers participated in the demonstration and raised concerns over transparency, accountability, public interest and the constitutional rights of states.

Addressing the gathering, Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh said the party had consistently stood for democratic values, transparency and protection of constitutional rights. He said that if there were allegations of irregularities involving donations linked to the faith of devotees, they should be investigated independently and transparently.

On the MMDR amendment, Kamlesh said Jharkhand is a mineral-rich state and any measure that weakens its constitutional or financial rights would not be acceptable to the Congress.

Former Union minister Subodh Kant Sahay said states and their people also have a legitimate stake in the natural resources located within their territories. He pointed out that Jharkhand has faced the long-term effects of mining and argued that protecting the state's share of mineral revenue and financial autonomy was therefore important.

Congress Legislature Party deputy leader in the Jharkhand Assembly Rajesh Kachhap said the party would oppose any attempt to restrict the powers of states through amendments to the MMDR framework. He said the benefits generated from Jharkhand's mineral resources should reach the people of the state and that its financial autonomy should be protected.

Somnath Munda said the protest was aimed at raising issues of public interest and protecting the constitutional framework. He maintained that Jharkhand's interests must be safeguarded in decisions concerning its mineral wealth and called for transparency and an impartial inquiry into questions surrounding donations linked to the Ram temple.

Dr Kumar Raja said the party would continue to demand accountability on issues involving public trust. He said a transparent account of donations made by devotees should be made available and that allegations of any irregularity should be examined through an impartial inquiry.

Other Congress leaders, including Bandhu Tirkey, Ajay Nath Sahdev, Rajesh Sinha and Dayamani Barla, also addressed the gathering. Speakers called on the Centre to respect the rights of states, protect Jharkhand's interests in its mineral resources and ensure transparency in matters involving devotees' donations.

At the conclusion of the demonstration, Congress representatives submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India through the Ranchi Deputy Commissioner. The memorandum sought necessary constitutional intervention on both the MMDR amendment and the demand for an impartial inquiry into the allegations concerning temple donations.

A large number of Congress workers and supporters participated in the protest. Among those present were Riaz Ahmed, state spokesperson Ujjwal Prakash Tiwari, Sunil Singh, Ved Prakash, Suresh Singh, Prince Bhatt, Manoj Singh, Sanjeev Singh Chhotu, Sanjay Khan, Balram Sahu, Kushal Oraon, Tulsi Kharwar, Manohar Mahto, Raj Kishore Munda, Sabir Lohar, Ishtiaq Ansari, Manga Oraon, Kartik Mahto, Vijay Toppo, Sabir Ansari, Ajgaut Mahto, Sanjay Seth, Archana Mishra, Rita Chaudhary and Neetu, among others.

The allegations raised at the protest are claims made by the Congress and protesters. The material provided does not include a response from the Centre or the authorities concerned to these allegations.
 

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