3 ex-IAS officers among candidates interviewed on first day for Ram Temple Trust's CEO post

Three former IAS officers, an ex-IPS officer and four former military officers were among those interviewed on Tuesday, August 11, for the post of first full-time CEO of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, with candidates facing questions about their religious practice and vision for the Ram temple, sources said.

The interviews, lasting 40 to 50 minutes each, included questions on the applicants' faith in Lord Ram and Hindu religious practices, including whether they sport a braid, wear 'janeu' (sacred thread), and are pure vegetarian or non-vegetarian, the sources said.

The candidates were also asked whether they consume liquor or are teetotallers, and whether they are "hardline Hindus" or simply believers, they said, adding questions were also asked about wearing attire according to Hindu religious practices.

According to the sources, the candidates were also asked about their leadership abilities, religious and social engagement, and their vision and work plan for the Ram temple.

Only eight of the 18 shortlisted candidates were interviewed on the first day, and the interview process is now expected to continue for four more days, instead of the two days initially planned, said the sources.

The Trust decided to appoint a full-time chief executive officer (CEO) after the alleged Ram temple donation embezzlement came to light.

According to a senior functionary of the Trust, all the 18 candidates, shortlisted from 5,200 applicants, reached Ayodhya on Monday night and stayed at various locations in the temple town as suggested by the Trust.

Former IPS officer Rajesh Pandey and former Jaunpur district magistrate Dinesh Chandra were among those interviewed on Tuesday, while former IAS officers Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and Sameer Pandaya are also in the race, the sources said.

The interviews are being conducted behind closed doors at the Green House in the Ram temple complex, after the candidates were given a tour of the entire temple complex, they said, adding the candidates reached the temple complex around 9 am and the interview process started at 10 am.

"Each candidate had forwarded his arrival schedule at the Ayodhya airport. They were picked up by people appointed by the Trust. From the airport, they were taken to the different locations in separate vehicles," a source said.

"The candidates have been instructed not to interact with the media. After the interview is over, all of them will be taken back to the Ayodhya airport to board a flight to New Delhi. From Delhi, they will board flights to their respective destinations," the source added.

The 18 candidates also include former senior position holders of temples in South India, according to the sources.

The three-member selection committee landed in Ayodhya Monday night for the screening. From the 18 applicants, it will zero in on three names for the Trust to make the final call.

The selection panel comprises former Supreme Court judge Justice Pramod Kohli, Lt Gen Vishnukant Chaturvedi (retd), and Suresh Haware.

The allegations of embezzlement of Ram temple donations has led to scrutiny of the Trust's financial management even as eight accused have been arrested in the case while three officials, including Trust's former general secretary Champat Rai, stepped down from their posts.