Discussion has intensified once again over the limited number of members playing an active role in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust amid allegations of irregularities in temple offerings. Following the allegations, questions have largely focused on a few key members responsible for the trust’s daily operations and administrative functions, while most members participate primarily in meetings and special events.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was constituted by the Central Government following the Supreme Court’s historic verdict of November 9, 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of the trust in the Lok Sabha on February 5, 2020. The trust was assigned responsibility for temple construction, financial management and overall administrative arrangements.
The trust was initially formed with 15 members, including saints, religious leaders, representatives of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, litigants associated with the temple movement and administrative representatives. It currently has 14 members. One position has remained vacant following the death of Bimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, former head of the Ayodhya royal family.
According to sources, most trust members participate in meetings and special events, while day-to-day administrative and management responsibilities are handled by a limited number of members. Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das and senior member K. Parasaran often attend meetings virtually due to health reasons.
General Secretary Champat Rai oversees trust meetings, programmes and administrative coordination. Treasurer Swami Govinddev Giri supervises financial matters and donation management. Dr Anil Kumar Mishra handles administrative operations. Nripendra Mishra, chairman of the temple construction committee, reviews construction work and monitors progress.
Special invitee member Gopal Rao, serving as the temple administrator, is also responsible for several key functions related to darshan arrangements, aarti passes and temple operations.
To streamline its functioning, the trust constituted five separate committees in November 2020. These include the Construction Committee, Audit Committee, Finance Committee, Religious Committee and Management Committee. The committees were also granted authority to include experts related to their respective areas of work.
Following recent allegations of irregularities in offerings, discussion surrounding the trust’s functioning has intensified. As most key decisions and management responsibilities are concentrated among a few active members, those members have become the primary focus of allegations and scrutiny.
The trust has consistently maintained that all activities are conducted in accordance with prescribed rules and procedures. Investigative agencies and concerned officials are reviewing facts related to the matter. Attention remains focused on the progress of the inquiry and any official conclusions that may emerge in the coming days.
