Ram Temple news highlights: Krishna Mohan interim gen secy as Ram Temple Trust accepts Champat Rai's resignation

Ram Temple news LIVE: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has appointed Krishna Mohan from Hardoi as its interim general secretary after accepting the resignation of Champat Rai, a key organisational change announced by the Trust on Monday.

Trust Treasurer Govind Dev Giri said Krishna Mohan has been given the additional responsibility of serving as the interim general secretary until a new appointment is made.

Krishna Mohan has an extensive administrative and public service background. A graduate of Lucknow University, he has served in the Atomic Energy Department and later joined the Indian Forest Service (IFS), retiring from the Maharashtra cadre after holding senior positions.

According to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Krishna Mohan is currently engaged in social service activities in Hardoi. Read Krishna Mohan's complete profile

Ram Temple news LIVE: All trustees will work to restore confidence, manage offerings by devotees as per Ram temple trust's objectives, said Krishna Mohan, interim general secretary of Ram Temple Trust.

Ram Temple news LIVE: A three-member committee has been set up to interview and suggest names for CEO of Ram Temple, trust teasurer Govind Giri said, PTI reported.

Ram Temple news LIVE: Because of current situation, our image has taken a hit, Ram temple trust interim general secretary Krishna Mohan said on donation theft.

Ram Temple news LIVE:

• The Ram Temple Trust held a crucial meeting today in Ayodhya.
• The resignations of general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra were accepted.
• Trustee Krishna Mohan has been appointed as the interim general secretary.
• Mohan said the guilty will be punished as a row over alleged irregularities in the temple donations has rattled the temple trust.
• However, temple trust treasurer Giri defended Champat Rai and said he is untainted in my eye. Giri hailed Rai's 'life of sacrifice' for temple movement.

Ram Temple news LIVE: Whosoever is found guilty will get appropriate punishment, said Ram temple trust's interim general secretary Krishna Mohan.

Ram Temple news LIVE: Ram temple trust treasurer Giri defended Champat Rai after the trust accepted his resignation. He is untainted in my eyes, Giri said, as he hailed his 'life of sacrifice' for temple movement.

Ram Temple news LIVE: All costly donated items said to have been stolen will be displayed, Ram temple trust treasurer Govind Giri said after meeting, PTI reported.

Ayodhya meeting LIVE updates: The Ram Temple Trust is set to meet again on July 22 amid the ongoing row over irregularities in the temple's donations.

Ayodhya meeting LIVE updates: Theft is a theft, the temple trst said on Monday after the meeting on funds row. The trust also said the probe tea, “We also stress that all those who are accused--known or unknown must be punished,” Govind Giri of the Ram Temple Trust said.

“Under the constitution of the trust, the resignation is deemed accepted, as and when it is tendered. So there was no other option. We accepted the resignations,” Giri said.

Ayodhya meeting LIVE updates: As the Ram Temple Trust accepted Champat Rai's resignation, it has appointed Krishna Mohan as the interim general secretary.

Ayodhya meeting LIVE updates: Champat Rai, Anil Mishra's resignations accepted as Ram Temple Trust meet ends

Ayodhya meeting LIVE updates: The key meeting of the Ram Temple Trust amid the donations row has ended. The meeting will decide on the resignations of Anil Mishra and Champat Rai.

Ayodhya meeting LIVE updates: Trust chairman Nritya Gopal Das said he was "deeply pained" by the alleged theft of donations from the Ram Lalla temple and called for the strictest punishment for those responsible.

Expressing confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, he said every person linked to the alleged offence would be brought to justice and asserted that no one should seek political mileage from an issue connected to the faith of millions of Hindus.

Ayodhya meeting LIVE updates: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday led the "Ram Raksha" protest organised by his party at the Dadar Hanuman temple in Mumbai on Sunday over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya.

Addressing the gathering, Thackeray said, "All the Hindus of the country were awakened by Balasaheb. Hindus will not forgive them. Thieves have no right to take Ram's name. Today, all Hindus are gathered here. Let's crack down on these thieves. We will not rest until the theft is solved."

"Ram Raksha Andolan" was announced by Thackeray earlier last week. He had also questioned whether the BJP was running an "Operation Ram Mandir", referring to the 'Operation Tiger' which saw the party's MP switch to Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena earlier.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant, who also took part in the protest, raised questions over donations made by the party during an earlier visit to the temple.

"Today, the offerings made by our countrymen are being stolen. Uddhav Thackeray visited the temple on behalf of the Shiv Sena party, and we made donations as well. Where did the silver brick we donated go? You engage in politics over people's sentiments and faith." Sawant said.

via PTI

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over alleged irregularities in the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, questioning why those purportedly involved in "theft and land scams" are being protected.

His remarks came in response to a social media post by the Prime Minister, in which the latter praised BJP leader Nitin Nabin's "simplicity."

Taking to social media platform X, the AAP supremo quoted the Prime Minister's post and wrote, "Thank you for providing information about Nitin ji. Prime Minister ji, the entire country wants to know why those involved in the theft at Shri Ram Mandir, the land scam, and siphoning off commissions in the construction are being protected. When will they receive strict punishment?"

The political exchange began earlier in the day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised BJP leader Nitin Nabin's "simplicity and straightforwardness".

PM Modi Nabin after an associate shared anecdotes of the leader's frugal student life.

Quoting a post by Nabin's childhood friend Piyush Padmakar, the PM said such values are a "matter of pride for every BJP worker".

"This simplicity and straightforwardness is a matter of pride for every BJP worker. @NitinNabin," PM wrote on X.

This came after Kejriwal on Sunday took a jibe at Nitin Nabin after the latter accused the opposition leaders of remaining silent over "insults" to Hindu deities.

Hitting out at Nabin, Kejriwal posted on X, "Aap kaun hain (Who are you)?"

This came in reply to Nitin Nabin's address at BJP's Shakti Kendra Sanyojak Sammelan in Lucknow, where he said, "Today, I want to tell Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Kejriwal not to consider the Hindu religion so weak that people will fall for your rhetoric."

The Ram Mandir donation theft controversy has intensified after allegations surfaced that donations made were misused. The Opposition has demanded an independent investigation, while BJP leaders have accused them of politicising an issue linked to the faith of millions of Hindus.

via ANI

Ayodhya meeting LIVE updates: On the ongoing Ram Temple Trust meeting over alleged embezzlement of donations, VHP Spokesperson Surendra Jain says, "We have full faith in the wisdom of the members of the Trust. We will respect the decision the Trust takes. Devotees' faith in the Trust and the temple is intact."

Ayodhya meeting LIVE updates: Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Treasurer and founder of the Geeta Pariwar, Swami Govind Dev Giri, on Monday said he would address the media after the conclusion of the Trust meeting being held amid allegations related to the alleged embezzlement of temple donations.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, Govind Dev Giri said he would not comment on the issue before the meeting and would hold a press conference later in the day.

"I am not going to say anything right now. I will meet you tonight after today's meeting. I am here for three days. I will sit down with all of you and discuss everything. There will be a press conference after the meeting," he said.

Meanwhile, President of Ram Mandir Trust, Nitya Gopal Das, wrote a letter stating that he is deeply pained by the alleged theft of offerings from the Ram Mandir, but he has full faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He added that no one should politicise this matter.

via ANI

Ayodhya meeting LIVE updates: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Monday described the alleged donation theft at Ayodhya Ram temple as "very unfortunate" and said those who "fired bullets" at the devotees have "no moral right" to speak on the matter.

Alleging the Congress and Samajwadi Party of appeasement politics, Pathak said they had consistently opposed the construction of the Ram temple and accused them of politicising the matter.

Speaking to reporters, Pathak said, "The incident in Ayodhya Dham is very unfortunate. But the entire country and every follower of Sanatan knows that the Samajwadi Party and the Congress consistently opposed the Ram temple."

He alleged that the opposition had even questioned whether Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya and claimed they had taken a similar stand before the Supreme Court.

"These are the same people who got bullets fired at unarmed devotees and stained Ayodhya with blood. The Congress and the Samajwadi Party have no moral right to speak on Ayodhya Dham," he said.

They made objectionable remarks about Lord Ram, he said.

"Lord Ram will never forgive them," he added.

Referring to a purported video of SP workers, Pathak alleged that they were claiming that "Lord Ram has left Ayodhya", adding that the party had "always conspired to malign Sanatan culture through baseless comments against Lord Ram."

via PTI

Ayodhya meeting LIVE updates: Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav alleged on Monday that a "power struggle" is occurring between the BJP and the Uttar Pradesh government, claiming that the people's faith and religious sentiments in Ayodhya are being compromised.

Addressing a press conference here after a meeting of party leaders and office-bearers, Yadav also attacked the BJP over governance, development projects, the condition of the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC), engineering education and preparations for future elections.

Commenting on the Ram temple donation controversy in Ayodhya, Yadav stated that the BJP leadership is more concerned about internal rivalries than protecting the religious faith of the people.

"Our faith and devotion are being toyed with. Everyone knows what is happening, yet they remain silent. The double-engine government (in UP and the Centre) is not functioning collaboratively; instead, it is in conflict. There is a power struggle, and they have no regard for faith or devotion," he alleged.

He further claimed that those in power had become "blinded by the treasure" and that the dispute reflected a battle for control within the ruling establishment.

Yadav alleged that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter reflects the internal conflict within the BJP.

"If it were a matter for the Enforcement Directorate, CBI, or Income Tax, the investigation would have been handled in Delhi. Before Delhi could address it, Lucknow took charge. This situation is a result of the power struggle," he stated.

via PTI

Ayodhya meeting LIVE updates: Nritya Gopal Das had earlier today in a letter stated that he is deeply pained by the alleged theft of offerings from the Ram Mandir, but said has full faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He added that no one should politicise this matter.

Ayodhya meeting LIVE updates: Champat Rai and Anil Mishra's resignations are on top of the meeting agenda, which is currently underway. Audit report and the financial statement of 2025-26, the ongoing SIT probe and management of the Ram Mandir are also on the meeting agenda.

Ayodhya meeting LIVE updates: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Monday said it will respect whatever decision the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust takes on the resignations of its general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, asserting that allegations alone do not establish guilt.

The RSS affiliate also said that the ongoing probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple should be allowed to reach its conclusion.

The Trust will hold a crucial meeting on Monday afternoon.

VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain said the organisation will not speculate on the outcome of the meeting and has full faith in the Trust's wisdom.

"The Trust alone will decide and make the announcement. Whatever decision it takes, we will respect. We have complete faith in the wisdom of the saints associated with the Trust," he told reporters here.

Jain defended Rai and Mishra, saying allegations by themselves do not make a person guilty.

"Until guilt is proven, do not treat anyone as a criminal. Let the investigating agency do its job and wait for the outcome of the investigation," he said, alleging that some people have sought to pronounce Rai guilty even before the probe has concluded.

via PTI

Ayodhya meeting LIVE updates: Champat Rai, Anil Mishra's resignations likely to be accepted at key meet