Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international president Alok Kumar has demanded stringent action against those responsible in the alleged Ram Temple donation irregularities case, saying anyone found guilty should face imprisonment.

Speaking on the controversy surrounding alleged financial irregularities linked to donations made to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Mr Kumar asserted that the matter should be investigated thoroughly and impartially.

“The guilty should be jailed,” he said, stressing that no one involved in wrongdoing should be spared, irrespective of their position or status.

Mr Kumar also supported the registration of an FIR and called for a comprehensive probe into the allegations. He said the investigation should be completed quickly so that the truth emerges at the earliest.

Emphasising the need for transparency, the VHP leader said a fast-track trial should be considered if evidence establishes wrongdoing. According to him, swift legal action would help maintain public confidence in institutions associated with the temple.

The remarks come amid an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in the handling of donations linked to the Ram Temple. Authorities have already initiated action in the matter, with several accused arrested as the probe continues.

Officials are examining the allegations, and further action is expected based on the findings of the investigation.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the Centre is preparing amendments to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act to close loopholes allegedly exploited by drug trafficking networks and strengthen India’s anti-narcotics framework.

Addressing the 10th apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) in New Delhi, Shah said the government is re-examining the existing law and invited states to submit suggestions for the proposed changes. The amendments are being worked on by the Ministry of Finance to make the legislation more effective in tackling organised drug syndicates.

Centre seeks stronger legal framework against narcotics

Shah stressed the need for a tougher approach towards drug traffickers and peddlers, while advocating a compassionate stance towards victims of addiction. He outlined a three-pronged strategy against drug trafficking — “detect, disrupt and destroy” — and urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts against the narcotics menace.

The Home Minister also asked state governments to share suggestions on strengthening the NDPS Act. Directors General of Police have been asked to forward recommendations to the Ministry of Home Affairs, while Chief Secretaries can submit their inputs to the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance.

Seizures of synthetic drugs rise over past decade

Highlighting the government’s anti-drug campaign, Shah said that between 2004 and 2014, around 26 lakh kilograms of synthetic drugs were seized across the country. In comparison, agencies confiscated approximately 1.18 crore kilograms of synthetic drugs between 2014 and 2026.

He further said the estimated value of drugs seized during 2014-2026 stood at around Rs 1.84 lakh crore, significantly higher than the nearly Rs 40,000 crore worth of narcotics seized during the previous decade. According to Shah, these figures reflect the expanded scale and effectiveness of anti-drug enforcement efforts.

The minister also called for real-time information sharing among states through digital platforms developed by the Narcotics Control Bureau and urged authorities to ensure NCORD meetings deliver measurable outcomes. He unveiled the “Vision Document on Drug Control (2026-2029)”, which aims to provide a roadmap for reducing drug demand, curbing supply and minimising harm caused by substance abuse.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday questioned the existing legal framework governing proof of Indian citizenship, asking what document citizens should rely on if a passport itself is not considered conclusive evidence of citizenship.

The remarks came a day after the Centre clarified that an Indian passport is primarily a travel document and has never been treated as definitive proof of citizenship under existing laws. The government maintained that this position is not new and has remained unchanged for years.

Reacting to the clarification, Tharoor described the situation as an “absurd legal paradox” and argued that ordinary citizens have long regarded passports as the highest form of official identity because they are issued only after extensive verification procedures. He said it is difficult for people to understand how a document obtained after rigorous scrutiny does not conclusively establish citizenship.

In a detailed statement, the Thiruvananthapuram MP urged the government to undertake what he termed a “common-sense legislative overhaul” to end the controversy. He proposed amending the legal framework so that both passports and Aadhaar cards are recognised as valid and conclusive proof of Indian citizenship unless specifically cancelled or withdrawn by the government.

Tharoor, however, acknowledged a key challenge with Aadhaar. Since Aadhaar is currently issued on the basis of residence and is available to both citizens and certain non-citizen residents, he suggested that the Unique Identification Authority of India issue a visually distinct Aadhaar card for non-citizens. According to him, such a distinction would allow the government to designate standard Aadhaar cards and valid Indian passports as sufficient proof of citizenship.

The debate intensified after the Ministry of External Affairs stated during a recent briefing that an Indian passport should not be treated as conclusive proof of citizenship. The Centre subsequently reiterated that the Passports Act, 1967 permits passports to be issued to non-citizens in certain circumstances in the public interest, and therefore possession of a passport alone cannot legally establish citizenship.