Champat Rai, Anil Mishra exit after Ram Temple Chanda Chori controversy

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has officially accepted the resignation of its long-serving General Secretary Champat Rai during its meeting in Ayodhya on July 6. The Trust has unanimously appointed Bajrang Lal Bagra, International General Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and a senior Sangh Parivar functionary, as the new General Secretary.

The decision comes in the wake of the donation embezzlement controversy at the Ram Temple, where allegations of misappropriation of cash and replacement of valuable offerings surfaced. The Trust has also accepted the resignation of trustee Anil Mishra. During the meeting, members reviewed the SIT probe report, discussed administrative reforms, the temple’s future roadmap, and measures to restore institutional credibility. Trust Chairman Mahant Nritya Gopal Das expressed being “deeply hurt” by the episode.

This development marks a major leadership transition at the Trust amid heightened scrutiny. The meeting, originally scheduled later, was advanced to address the crisis promptly following the resignations tendered on moral grounds. The incident has also, understandably, triggered concerns for stricter oversight mechanisms to safeguard devotee donations at the temple. Whether it goes through or not remains to be seen.