The controversy surrounding the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has kept the temple administration in the headlines, and the Ram Mandir Trust is holding a crucial meeting today to address the issue. Just ahead of the meeting, Trust chairman Mahant Nritya Gopal Das has spoken publicly on the matter for the first time, saying the theft has left him deeply hurt.
What Mahant Nritya Gopal Das Said
Mahant Nritya Gopal Das said he was deeply pained by the theft of donations made to the Shri Ram Lala Sarkar temple. He said whoever committed this sin deserves the harshest possible punishment. He expressed full confidence that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi would ensure punishment for everyone found guilty in the case, adding that this was not merely a case of theft but a matter tied to the faith of crores of Hindus. He further appealed that no one should turn this issue into politics for personal gain.
Trust Meeting Today, Resignations Under Consideration
With the donation theft case snowballing, the Ram Mandir Trust is meeting today to take stock of the situation. The meeting will take up the resignations offered by Secretary General Champat Rai and Trustee Dr. Anil Mishra, both of whom stepped down after the theft came to light, though their resignations have not been accepted so far. The trust is expected to take a final call on this at today's meeting. It has also emerged that the trust may soon appoint a CEO to oversee its functioning.
The Trust Was Formed In 2020
The Ram Mandir Trust was constituted in February 2020, following the Supreme Court verdict delivered in November 2019. It originally had 15 members, but one member has since passed away, leaving the trust with 14 members at present. The trust typically meets once every three months, and its last meeting was held on March 21 to finalize preparations for the Ram Navami celebrations.
All eyes are now on today's meeting, which will determine whether the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra are accepted, and which direction the trust takes following the entire donation theft episode.
