Ram temple donation theft a disgrace: Nripendra Mishra

Ram Temple Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra on Saturday described the alleged donation theft at the Ayodhya temple as a disgrace and said it had caused widespread humiliation. He said steps would be taken to strengthen the temple management system to prevent similar incidents. Mishra arrived in Ayodhya on Friday for the Ram Temple Construction Committee’s meeting.

He stated that the incident highlighted the need to improve temple management to prevent future thefts. Mishra said a high-level committee has been formed to recommend a candidate for the post of CEO of the temple trust. There is speculation that the trust may consider appointing a woman as CEO, but Mishra did not comment on this possibility. “You are aware that a (retired) judge is heading the committee for the appointment of a CEO. It will submit its recommendations to the trust, which will take a call on the issue,” he said.

Following the resignations of temple trust general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra in connection with the donation-theft controversy, the trust will meet again on July 22 to discuss steps to improve management.

Mishra said he was not aware of the agenda for the July 22 meeting.

Before beginning the second day of the Ram Temple Construction Committee’s meeting here, Mishra said, “Yesterday, I reviewed the ongoing construction work. The work on the old temple, which is being developed, was discussed before the second day of the committee’s meeting.

Mishra said he had reviewed the ongoing construction work. He stated that work on the old temple, being developed as a memorial, is nearly complete, with only the arrangement for the continuously burning flame remaining. Other projects, like the construction of a 4-kilometre boundary wall and work on the auditorium outside the temple complex, may be completed by November-December.

“Additionally, there is the Ram Katha Museum, which involves 20 galleries. The museum’s storyline has been finalised. The final shape regarding the type of video content will be decided in our meetings this time,” he said. Krishna Mohan, the interim general secretary of the temple trust, also attended the committee’s meeting on Friday.

Mishra described the Ayodhya temple as unique and said it is the outcome of a prolonged movement. He said the experience of seeing Ram Lalla at this site is unparalleled.

Mishra said the return of Lord Ram to his original abode marks the creation of a magnificent temple. He expressed confidence that the number of devotees would remain high and that followers of Sanatan Dharma would wish to visit.