The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust accepted the resignations of general secretary Champat Rai and member Anil Mishra on Monday, marking the first administrative action in the ongoing Ram Mandir donation theft controversy. The Trust named Krishna Mohan as interim general secretary and announced plans to appoint a chief executive officer (CEO) by July 22.
Resignations Accepted Amid SIT Investigation
Rai and Mishra resigned on moral grounds after a special investigation team (SIT) probing the theft of temple offerings arrested eight individuals, including Rai's former driver. The Trust held a three-and-a-half-hour meeting in Ayodhya to address the situation.
Trust treasurer Govind Giri stated that the Trust unanimously appreciated Rai's contributions to the Ram Temple movement and construction despite accepting his resignation. "Champat Rai, in my eyes, is untainted," Giri said, adding that Rai had devoted his entire life to the temple cause. He explained that Trust rules mandate automatic acceptance of resignations, though Rai can remain a trustee if he wishes.
New Leadership and CEO Appointment
The Trust appointed Krishna Mohan as interim general secretary, with a final decision expected at the next Trust meeting on July 22. A three-member committee comprising retired judge Pramod Kohli, retired Lt Gen Vishnukant Chaturvedi, and Suresh Havde was formed to select a CEO for the temple.
In a detailed statement, the Trust said it has sought public suggestions to improve temple functioning and will consider similar recommendations from the SIT. The SIT report is anticipated by July 22.
Trust Defends Integrity Amid Allegations
The Trust condemned the theft as "hurtful and concerning" and demanded punishment for the guilty. However, it cautioned against unfair public allegations before the legal process concludes. The Trust criticized politicians for exploiting the incident to spread "baseless allegations" and undermine Hindu faith, asserting that devotee numbers have not declined despite the controversy.
"Some people are trying to exploit this unfortunate incident to undermine the collective Hindu faith, Hindu society, Ram Janmabhoomi and the deity himself," the Trust stated. "But there is no fall in the number of devotees visiting Ram Mandir. This shows that despite the baseless allegations, the faith of Lord Rama devotees stays intact."
Financial Transparency and Donation Accounting
The Trust disclosed that Rs 482 crore has been received in offerings and donations, with Rs 370 crore used for management and the remainder available. It assured that all 2,926 offerings are accounted for, and silverware has been melted into silver bars at government facilities with proper certification. "Every offering can be displayed to devotees," the Trust said, seeking to allay concerns about accountability.
