Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Ayodhya Temple Trust Overhaul Draws BJP Appointment Criticism
The Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust changed some of its leaders after people were arrested over alleged theft of temple donations.
Eight people have reportedly been arrested, and some trust officials resigned.
The trust appointed three new members and selected retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first CEO.
A CEO is a person who helps manage an organization.
Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders criticized the appointments.
They said religious leaders, rather than politicians, should help choose temple officials.
The trust said it selected qualified professionals through interviews and a formal evaluation.
The controversy continues because political opponents say the process was influenced by the BJP.
The Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust appointed three new members after arrests and resignations linked to alleged donation theft.
Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra was appointed the trust’s first chief executive officer.
Congress leader Ajay Rai said the CEO post could legalize donation theft and called for religious leaders to make appointments.
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of controlling the selections and questioned why some officials received clean chits.
The trust said candidates were chosen for leadership, management expertise, integrity and vision through a 600-mark evaluation process.
- Who
- The Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust, BJP critics including Akhilesh Yadav and Ajay Rai, and newly appointed trust officials.
- What
- The trust overhauled its structure, appointed three members and named retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first CEO.
- When
- Final interviews for 16 candidates were held on August 11 and 12; the reports do not specify the year.
- Where
- The final interviews took place in Ayodhya, with appointees from Ayodhya, Delhi and Shikohabad.
- Why
- The changes followed alleged donation theft, arrests and resignations by several trust officials.
Political Critics
Temple Trust
Who should make appointments?
Political Critics
Ajay Rai said religious leaders, Shankaracharyas, saints and seers should make the appointments, while Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP was making the selections.
Temple Trust
The trust said the appointees were selected as highly qualified professionals based on leadership, management expertise, integrity and vision.
Need for a CEO
Political Critics
Ajay Rai said there was no need for a CEO and alleged that the post was created to legalize the theft of offerings.
Temple Trust
The trust appointed the CEO to handle temple management and financial affairs.
Accountability after the theft allegations
Political Critics
Akhilesh Yadav questioned why subordinates were not given the same treatment as senior officials who received clean chits and said the episode mocked religious faith.
Temple Trust
The trust proceeded with new appointments after arrests and resignations, while the Special Investigation Team gave Champat Rai a clean chit in the theft case.
- New trust members
- Madan Mohan Pandey, Mahesh Bhagchandka and Nirmala Yadav
- First chief executive officer
- Air Marshal (Retd) Jeetendra Mishra
- Arrests
- Eight people allegedly linked to donation theft were arrested
- Selection process
- Candidates were evaluated through a 600-mark process
- Final interviews
- Interviews for 16 candidates took place in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12
- Former general secretary
- Champat Rai resigned after the controversy and was later given a clean chit by the investigating Special Investigation Team