In connection with the embezzlement of donations collected for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya which has shaken the faith of people, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday demanded that the Centre should investigate the matter and punish the guilty.

In a number of tweets, Gehlot stated that the people of Rajasthan had contributed the most to the construction of the temple, and devotees across the country are deeply hurt by the "financial manipulation by the trust" formed for its construction. "The people of Rajasthan had contributed the most in the construction of Ram temple with faith, but the news of embezzlement of donations at the very beginning of the construction work has shaken the faith of the common man. No one is able to believe how the land price went from Rs 2 crore to Rs 18 crore in minutes," tweeted the Rajasthan Chief Minister.

He further said, "Pink stone was being sent to Ram temple after illegal mining from Banshi Paharpur in the state. Received legality in a legal way, which we are satisfied with."

Gehlot's remarks came a day after the Congress demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the matter of alleged irregularity in the purchase of land at Ayodhya by the Ram temple trust.

Controversy erupted after Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Tej Narayan Pandey on Sunday accused Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust of committing corruption in a land deal and sought a CBI probe into the matter.

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