Key facts
- The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerthhekshetra Trust has reshuffled leadership.
- General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra resigned.
- Krishna Mohan appointed interim general secretary.
- Eight people were arrested in connection with alleged donation theft.
- Nearly 8 million rupees were recovered from seven arrested individuals.
- The temple has received 5.82 billion rupees in offerings.
India's Ram temple trust has undergone a significant leadership overhaul following allegations of millions of rupees in donations being stolen. The trust, responsible for managing the grand temple in Ayodhya consecrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accepted the resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra. Krishna Mohan, a retired forest officer and member of the RSS, has been appointed as the interim general secretary.
Authorities have arrested eight people in connection with the alleged theft, recovering nearly 8 million rupees ($83,967) from seven of them. The temple has received a total of 5.82 billion rupees ($61 million) in offerings. Trust treasurer Govindadev Giri described the incident as "shameful" and expressed hurt over the damage to the sentiments of devotees and the institution's credibility.
The alleged theft has become a political issue ahead of next year's elections in Uttar Pradesh, with opposition parties calling for the trust's dissolution and an independent investigation. The ruling BJP has accused the opposition of opportunism. The temple's construction on the site of a demolished mosque has been a contentious issue for decades, leading to significant violence in the past.