Tension prevailed at the Kharar Ram Mandir on Tuesday evening as volunteers of the Ram Mandir Sankirtan Committee had a face-off with Punjab AAP in-charge Manish Sisodia and his supporters over the issue of alleged donation theft in Ayodhya.

Sisodia was invited by the Ram Mandir Committee for a weekly Hanuman Chalisa recitation on Tuesday evening, which was attended by two other MLAs and supporters. While addressing the gathering later, Sisodia reportedly raised the contentious issue of alleged donation theft in Ayodhya.

Sources said he demanded action against all those found guilty and described the incident as a blow to the faith and belief of devotees.

Meanwhile, a group of people reportedly distributed forms among visitors at the temple complex, seeking support for strict action against those involved in the alleged donation theft. This reportedly angered some temple committee members and others present at the venue.

Ram Mandir Sankirtan Committee in-charge Parvesh Sharma criticised Sisodia and confronted him over his comments and the form-filling exercise as he was leaving the temple premises.

A war of words and a minor scuffle followed before a posse of policemen rushed inside and brought the situation under control. A sizeable crowd had gathered outside the temple before Sisodia and AAP workers left the venue.

Mohali district BJP president Sanjeev Vashishth said, “Sisodia should pursue his policy of ‘Saam Daam Dand Bhed’ outside the temple. We will not allow anyone to use religious institutions for spreading political vendetta.”