A delegation of Congress MPs from Uttar Pradesh, led by state party chief Ajay Rai, offered prayers at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on Tuesday evening. Security forces had been deployed around the shrine since morning following tensions between the visitors and local authorities.
The visit took place after extended discussions and reports of restrictions, during which delegation members said they were blocked en route, confined to residences, or held by police.
The trip was planned amid allegations of misappropriated donations at the temple, which prompted eight arrests and continued police inquiries. Opposition parties have demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation.
After prayers at Hanumangarhi and the temple, Mr. Rai said an impartial probe was lacking and called for scrutiny of temple officials, dissolution of the trust, and inclusion of religious leaders and residents in its management.
Earlier, he described being isolated at a university guest house and facing mental strain, while insisting he would not leave without visiting the shrine.
The group included Mr. Rai and four Lok Sabha MPs from the state: Kishori Lal Sharma, Rakesh Rathore, Ujjwal Raman Singh, and Tanuj Punia.
Party supporters staged protests in several districts, including Bhadohi, Varanasi, Moradabad, Lucknow, and Barabanki, and submitted memorandums to officials. No formal statement was released on the measures taken.
