Ram Temple Trust Forms Religious Committee to Oversee Rituals, Reviews SBI Donation Counting
The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, in its second meeting following a controversy over alleged donation theft, has constituted a nine-member Dharmik Committee of seers to oversee all religious affairs at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Trust also announced a review of its arrangement with the State Bank of India (SBI), which had been responsible for counting offerings.
The decisions were taken amid a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttar Pradesh government to investigate the alleged misappropriations. The Trust appointed an official spokesperson to improve communication with the media and the public. It also deferred the appointment of its first chief executive officer (CEO) by a month, as the three-member selection panel requested more time to scrutinise over 5,200 applications.
The Dharmik Committee is headed by Trust treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri. Other members include seers from Ayodhya and elsewhere: Mahant Kamal Nayan Das (Maniram Chhawani), Swami Ramanand Das (Ram Katha Kunj), Mahant Ram Kumar Das (Ram Vallabh Kunj), Swami Mithilesh Nandini Sharan, Mahant Dhirendra Das (Nirmohi Akhara and a trustee), Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Vishwaprasannatirth Maharaj, and Swami Parmanand Maharaj.
Swami Govind Dev Giri stated that the committee will have authority over all religious activities of the temple, which will now function under the guidance of Ayodhya's seers. Their decisions on religious matters will be paramount, and Trust members will implement them. The committee's responsibilities include ensuring that all worship follows the Vedic Ramanandi tradition.
Krishna Mohan, the officiating Trust general secretary, said several decisions were made in anticipation of an increase in devotees during the upcoming Shravan month. The Trust will continue independent verification of gold and silver offerings through the India Government Mint.
The Trust also decided to establish a training centre for priests, which will impart ritual practices, temple management, and worship procedures, with certification from the Ram Temple. The centre will fall under the purview of the Dharmik Committee. The committee will also coordinate with Ayodhya's maths, temples, and gurukuls to strengthen their association with the Ram Temple.
Explaining the rationale, Giri said, “Every resident of Ayodhya should feel that this is their own temple.” Mohan noted that the SIT probing the alleged irregularities has not yet submitted its report, so no discussion could be held on the issue. The Trust also took note of proceedings in the Allahabad High Court. Expressing concern over SBI's handling of donation counting, the Trust directed its finance committee to reconsider the arrangement with the bank before a final decision.
