New Delhi: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Friday stated that the suspected theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya has "deeply hurt" the feelings and faith of the public, demanding that anyone proven guilty by investigators receive rigorous penalties.

Contending that "anti-Hindu and anti-national forces" are attempting to slander the Hindu dharma by capitalising on "this unfortunate incident," Hosabale additionally urged the global Hindu community to exhibit the required patience and composure during "this difficult moment" to disrupt such "conspiracies."

"The unfortunate incident of theft in the donation boxes kept at the Shri Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya has deeply hurt the sentiments and faith of the entire society and Ram devotees," the RSS second-in-command said in an official statement on X.

"We are all extremely pained and angered by this event," he added.

Hosabale remarked that it is natural for the broader Hindu community, including the RSS, to expect the temple trust to address this "highly condemnable" occurrence as an extraordinary issue and implement decisive measures to correct all systemic vulnerabilities within temple management and day-to-day operations.

It remains vital to guarantee that any individual found culpable following the official inquiry faces severe punishment, he noted.

The RSS general secretary further stressed that the prevailing "state of confusion and uncertainty" must be resolved.

"In this regard, we expect the temple management and the government-appointed SIT to take all necessary initiatives," he said.

Hosabale observed that the monumental temple erected at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi has evolved into a cornerstone of reverence, faith, and devotion for all Hindu society, forged through the struggles of multiple generations alongside the commitment, sacrifice, and "martyrdom" of crores of Ram devotees.

"We are confident that through proper financial management, flawless and transparent operational systems, and an atmosphere imbued with purity, sanctity and true 'dharmikta', the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will continue to strengthen the faith and trust of the Hindu society," he added.

With inputs from PTI