Ram temple management to be strengthened after donation theft: Mishra

Ram Temple Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra termed the alleged donation theft at the Ayodhya temple a disgrace and assured improvements in the management system. He also said the main phase of the temple construction is expected to be completed by July 30

Ayodhya: Ram Temple Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra on Saturday said the alleged donation theft at the Ayodhya temple was a disgraceful blot (kalank), and everyone felt utterly humiliated because of it.

He expressed confidence, however, that the temple management system would be improved to avoid a repeat of such incidents.

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Mishra arrived in Ayodhya on Friday for the first day of the Ram Temple Construction Committee’s meeting.

“This (alleged donation theft) is a disgrace, and we all are not just apologetic but also feel humiliated and let down by it,” Mishra told reporters ahead of the second day of the committee’s meeting.

“This is now an issue pertaining to temple management, and the management will surely be improved to guard against a repeat of this (alleged donation theft),” he said.

Mishra, who was among the first to raise the demand for the appointment of a temple trust CEO, said a high-level committee has been set up to suggest a suitable name.

There is speculation that the trust may be open to appointing a woman CEO, but Mishra did not comment on it.

“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.

After accepting the resignations of temple trust General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra amid the donation theft controversy, the trust will meet again on July 22 to decide on measures to improve the temple management system.

Mishra said he had no idea about the agenda of 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 as a memorial, is nearly finished. The only thing remaining is the arrangement for the flame that will burn 24×7.

“The second aspect involves the main memorial structure, which is expected to be finished by the end of this month. Thus, the final phase of the temple construction work will be over by July 30.”

He added, however, that a few 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 storyline for the museum has been finalised. The final shape of the 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.

Calling the Ayodhya temple “unique”, Mishra said that it is the result of a long-drawn movement.

“As you know, this place offers a unique experience of seeing Ram Lalla, one that is unparalleled in the world. All temples are worthy of our worship and reverence, but the temple of Ram Lalla is unique. It is the result of a long-drawn movement,” he said.

Mishra hailed the “return” of Lord Ram to his “original abode” and added, “It is, in itself, a magnificent temple. Rest assured, the number of devotees visiting it will never decrease. Every follower of Sanatan Dharma will certainly wish to visit this place at least once.”