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Hectic lobbying begins in Ayodhya to fill Ram temple trust vacancies
The vacancies follow the resignations of former general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra in the aftermath of the donation controversy and the death of Vimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, another trustee, in August 2025.
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Hectic lobbying has begun in Ayodhya to fill three vacancies in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust ahead of its July 22 meeting where a decision on new names is expected.
The vacancies follow the resignations of former general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra in the aftermath of the donation controversy and the death of Vimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, another trustee, in August 2025.
A delegation of Ayodhya’s seers, led by Mahant Janmejay Sharan (the peethadheeshwar or head priest of Janki Mahal temple) met Govind Dev Giri, the Trust’s treasurer, on Wednesday.
During the 90-minute meeting, Sharan asked Giri for representation for local seers in the Trust or the Ram temple’s management, sources said.
The development comes two days after the Trust’s executive committee meeting on July 6 accepted the resignations of Champat Rai and Anil Mishra.
A section of seers in Ayodhya was reportedly unhappy after they were not given any role in the Trust after its formation on February 5, 2020.
Mahant Janmejay Sharan alleged that a large section of seers associated with the Ram temple movement were denied any responsibility in the Trust or Ram Mandir’s management.
Yatinedra Mishra, son of the late Trustee Vimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, also met Govind Dev Giri. This meeting lasted for around 15 minutes.
When contacted, Yatindra Mishra said: “Nobody has approached me nor I have approached anyone. My meeting today was a courtesy call which I always do when any prominent seer visits Ayodhya.”
Mahant Dhinendra Das, another Trustee, had proposed Mishra’s name at the executive committee meeting on July 6 but the issue was not discussed that day.
Govind Dev Giri, Gopal Rao meet Champat Rai
Govind Dev Giri and Gopal Nagarkattee also known as Gopal Rao met Champat Rai at Karsevakpuram on Wednesday. According to people familiar with the matter, the trio discussed Ram temple management, cash counting and operation of the Trust’s accounts in the State Bank of India (SBI).
Joint signatures mandatory now
Joint signatures of interim general secretary Krishna Mohan and Chandan Rai, a chartered accountant hired by the Trust, will now be compulsory for any financial transaction related to the Ram temple.
A single individual’s signature will no longer be valid. In the past, banking responsibilities were primarily handled by Anil Mishra. As Govind Dev Giri resides in Maharashtra, he had delegated his signing power to Mishra.
Security enhanced
The number of security personnel at the donation counting site has been increased and 13 new CCTV cameras have been installed to ensure the entire process remains fully transparent.
The Trust says these measures are aimed at strengthening accountability and rebuilding public trust in the donation mechanism of the temple.
