Maharashtra Law Requires Ram Temple Trustees to Declare Devotion to Lord Ram

The Maharashtra government has passed a Bill that compels trustees of the Ram temple in Ramtek to declare themselves devotees of Lord Ram, mirroring a similar requirement in Ayodhya. The Bill, introduced by Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal, seeks to reconstitute the trust managing the historic Bhosala Devasthan at Ramtek, a temple believed to have been visited by Lord Ram during his exile.

Under the new law, any person appointed to the trust's management committee must submit a declaration in the prescribed form stating that they are a devotee of Shri Ram of Ramtek. This provision has drawn sharp objections from opposition parties, who argue that it is unconstitutional and impractical.

Earlier, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust in Ayodhya had begun searching for a CEO with devotion to Lord Ram as a primary requirement. However, the Maharashtra Bill makes such a declaration a statutory requirement for trustees, unlike the Ayodhya trust's non-binding criteria.

Opposition MLAs questioned the rationale and feasibility of the declaration. NCP (SP) MLA Jayant Patil asked how one could be a devotee of Lord Ram from a particular area. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai raised concerns about the government's ability to verify such declarations. Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar linked the Bill to the alleged theft of Rs 1,400 crore at the Ayodhya trust, questioning the need to involve political leaders and pay them allowances.

The Bill provides for a management committee headed by government-appointed office-bearers, with the local MLA and the president of the Ramtek Municipal Council as ex-officio members. Trustees will receive honorarium, travel allowance, and daily allowance from the management fund. Minister Jaiswal stated the legislation aims to ensure transparent and efficient administration, citing the temple's growing activities and finances.

NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad questioned whether Jaiswal introducing the Bill under which he becomes an ex-officio trustee constitutes a conflict of interest. Jaiswal did not respond to the criticism.