Hours after the appointment of officials to oversee the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the restructuring of the Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust has drawn political backlash, particularly over the appointment of three new members.
The appointments come amid the controversy surrounding the alleged theft and embezzlement of temple donations, which resulted in the arrest of several officials and the resignation of others. The temple trust has appointed three new members: Madan Mohan Pandey from Ayodhya, Mahesh Bhagchandka from Delhi, and Nirmala Yadav from Shikohabad.
Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retd), who headed the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor, has been appointed the first CEO of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The trust oversees the management and operations of the Ram temple, including its financial affairs.
The appointment triggered criticism from opposition leaders, with Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ajay Rai alleging that the move was aimed at addressing the controversy over the temple's offerings.
Reacting to the appointment Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ajay Rai said, "The CEO has been appointed to legalise the theft of offerings."
"There is no need for a CEO there. A religious scholar should be appointed. The appointment should be made by religious leaders, Shankaracharyas, saints and seers," Rai added.
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also questioned the process behind the appointments. "It was these very people who made the appointments," said Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav.
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"They might claim to be impartial, but it is the BJP that is making the selections. And if the bigwigs were given a clean chit, why aren't their subordinates – those who served them – being given one too?" he said.
"Nothing that has transpired is hidden from Lord Shri Ram. There has been theft of donations and a mockery made of faith; the truth is that even beggars outside a temple would never steal the offerings. Yet here, just imagine – a massive theft has been committed against God Himself," he added.
SP spokesman Azam Khan also criticised the developments, contrasting the controversy with the reputation of the armed forces.
"This has proved that under BJP rule, the only institution whose integrity remains intact is the Army, whether it is a paper leak case or a theft at the Ram Temple," said SP spokesman Azam Khan.
The appointment of the 62-year-old comes in the wake of the controversy over the alleged embezzlement of temple donations, which led to the arrest of eight people and the resignation of Champat Rai as general secretary.
The search committee tasked with selecting the CEO was headed by retired Justice Pramod Kohli and included retired Lt Gen Vishnukant Chaturvedi and former scientist Suresh Haware. The committee submitted its final report to trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri on Tuesday.
According to trust officials, the selection process included AI-assisted screening as well as manual assessment. Of the 5,585 applications received, 3,577 candidates submitted details for evaluation under a 600-mark framework.