Daijiworld Media Network – Ayodhya
Ayodhya, Jul 6: The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is scheduled to meet on Monday to decide on the resignations of its general secretary, Champat Rai, and trustee Anil Mishra amid an ongoing investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
According to sources, Trust members remain divided over whether to immediately accept the resignations or wait until the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submits its report, expected by Jul 15. While one section favours accepting the resignations, another believes the decision should be deferred until the investigation is completed. Discussions are also expected on appointing an interim authority to oversee the temple's day-to-day administration until the probe concludes.
The meeting, originally planned at Mani Ram Chhawni, the ashram of Trust president Nritya Gopal Das, is now likely to be held at the Ram Temple premises. Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri has asked all 11 regular members and ex-officio members to attend. Senior trustee K. Parasaran is expected to participate through video conferencing owing to health issues.
The developments are being closely monitored by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which has deputed senior leader Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi, who oversees coordination with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, to attend the meeting in Ayodhya.
Sources within the RSS said the controversy is also expected to dominate discussions during the organisation's three-day Akhil Bharatiya Prant Pracharak Baithak, beginning Jul 10 in Belagavi. Originally intended to focus on the upcoming Census and other national issues, the conclave is now likely to devote significant attention to the Ayodhya developments and the future of Sangh functionaries associated with temple administration.
Senior RSS leaders reportedly view the controversy as a matter extending beyond the criminal investigation, saying it has raised concerns about the organisation's credibility since the Ram Temple has become a prominent symbol of its ideological movement.
An RSS functionary said the issue has created a negative public perception and cast a shadow over the Sangh Parivar, making it imperative for the organisation to address the situation promptly.
Another senior office-bearer from Uttar Pradesh reportedly described the controversy as more damaging than the allegations of "Hindutva terror" made during the UPA government, stating that many people associate the Ram Temple directly with the RSS, regardless of whether any Sangh functionary is personally involved.
On Jul 3, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said it was natural for the entire Hindu society, including the RSS, to expect the Trust to treat the matter as an extraordinary issue and take effective corrective measures to address shortcomings in the temple's functioning.
Meanwhile, a senior Uttar Pradesh Police officer involved in the investigation said the final assessment of the missing donation amount is yet to be completed. The probe will also examine the role of employees of the State Bank of India who were involved in counting the donations.
The officer said reports circulating about the amount allegedly misappropriated were exaggerated and estimated that the actual loss was unlikely to exceed a few crore rupees.