Key facts
- The trust managing India's Ram temple in Ayodhya has announced a leadership overhaul.
- Allegations of tens of millions of rupees in donations being stolen have surfaced.
- General secretary Champat Rai and another official have resigned.
- Krishna Mohan, a member of the RSS, has been appointed interim general secretary.
- The trust has received 5.82 billion rupees in donations and spent 3.19 billion rupees on upkeep.
- A former accounts supervisor claims he was dismissed after raising concerns about wrongdoing.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerthhekshetra Trust, which manages the Ram temple in Ayodhya, has undergone a leadership change following allegations of significant donation theft. General secretary Champat Rai and another official have resigned after police filed a case of embezzlement against eight people. Krishna Mohan, a retired forest officer and member of the RSS, has been appointed as the interim general secretary.
The temple, inaugurated in January 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a major pilgrimage site attracting millions of visitors annually. The allegations were initially raised by a former accounts supervisor who claimed he was dismissed after voicing concerns about internal wrongdoing. This has led to a political controversy, with opposition parties questioning the handling of donations.
Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri stated that the trust has received 5.82 billion rupees in donations and spent 3.19 billion rupees on the shrine's upkeep. He emphasized that the primary concern is the damage to the sentiments of devotees and the institution's credibility, rather than the amount stolen. Mohan acknowledged the allegations have affected the trust's image and vowed to close any loopholes to prevent future incidents. The trust is scheduled to meet again on July 22, expecting the police to have submitted a final report by then.