The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will convene in Ayodhya on July 7 to chart the future course following the resignations of two senior functionaries amid a donation controversy, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Alok Kumar announced on Saturday.
Resignations and Moral Responsibility
Trust general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra submitted their resignations to the Trust's president and treasurer, citing moral responsibility for the Ram Temple Donation Row. Kumar confirmed the development to PTI, stating that the resignations were accepted and would be formally addressed at the July 7 meeting. "Their decision should be respected since they took a moral stand," he added.
SIT Report Uncovers Malpractice
The resignations followed a preliminary report by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that exposed serious mismanagement and malpractice in donation collection at the temple. The SIT's findings prompted the Uttar Pradesh police to file a First Information Report (FIR) and arrest eight individuals. Among those arrested was Rai's former driver, who allegedly held unauthorized access to the keys of the donation boxes, known as 'hundis'. While neither Rai nor Mishra was named in the FIR, their failure to report the irregularities in a timely manner has drawn scrutiny.
Trust and Public Confidence
Kumar acknowledged that the allegations have shaken public trust in the temple management. He emphasized the need for swift action, stating, "If the matter is investigated quickly, decided in a fast-track court, and those guilty are brought to justice in record time, it would be akin to a healing touch." He expressed hope that the Trust would appoint a chief executive officer (CEO) to oversee daily operations, ensuring greater accountability alongside the trustees.
Future Leadership and Meeting Agenda
When asked whether the Trust would name a new general secretary at the July 7 meeting, Kumar declined to comment. Rai also serves as the VHP's vice president. The meeting is expected to finalize the Trust's response to the resignations and outline measures to restore confidence in the temple's financial management.
