A significant update has emerged concerning the management of VIP Darshan passes for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The authority to approve and issue these specialized passes has been transferred to Mahant Dinendra Das, whose credentials have now been activated within the official system. Going forward, both Sugam and VIP Darshan passes will be issued exclusively based on the recommendations provided by Mahant Dinendra Das. This transition comes as the digital access IDs previously held by Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao have been formally deactivated by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
Trustee Recommendation Remains Mandatory
To secure a VIP Darshan pass at the temple, a formal recommendation from a trustee remains a strictly enforced requirement. This responsibility has now been officially vested in Mahant Dinendra Das. The temple currently facilitates two specific types of entry passes for devotees: the Sugam Darshan pass and the VIP (Vishisht) Darshan pass. To streamline this, unique IDs were generated in the system for every trustee, allowing them to manage and issue these passes to pilgrims as needed.
Allegations of Systemic Misuse
This organizational change follows serious allegations regarding the manipulation of the pass-issuing system. It is alleged that Tinnu Yadav, a key accused in the Ram Mandir donation theft investigation, exploited this very system to generate hundreds of unauthorized passes. Furthermore, there are reports suggesting that individuals close to Anil Mishra and Champat Rai were also involved in irregular activities related to the issuance of VIP passes, allegedly generating significant illicit income through these methods.
Donation Counting and Outsourced Staff Operations
Regarding concerns over the counting of temple offerings and reports of resignations among outsourced staff, banking sources have provided clarity. Despite the arrest of eight individuals, no new recruitments have been made to fill those vacancies. However, the donation counting process is proceeding without disruption, primarily because the current volume of pilgrims is low. The role of the outsourced staff is limited to organizing and straightening currency notes, while the actual counting process is conducted exclusively by bank officials, ensuring accuracy and oversight. A meeting of the Trust is scheduled for July 22, where these operational arrangements and future strategies will be reviewed to ensure the temple's daily affairs continue to function smoothly.
