The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra (SRJTK) board announced on Tuesday that it had accepted the resignations of senior trustee Champ Rai and senior legal adviser Anil Mishra, citing “voluntary” departure after a media‑driven controversy over a multi‑crore cash donation to the trust. The move comes as the board faces pressure from the central government, opposition parties and civil‑society watchdogs to clarify the source and handling of the contribution, which critics say may breach the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and other statutes governing religious trusts.
What happened
The SRJTK, the statutory body created by the Supreme Court to oversee construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, issued a statement confirming that the resignations of Champ Rai and Anil Mishra were “effective immediately” and were submitted “of their own volition.” The board also said it would “review all donation procedures to ensure transparency and compliance with legal requirements.” The resignations were submitted after a series of news reports raised questions about a cash donation of “several crore rupees” that the trust reportedly received earlier this month from an undisclosed private individual. The trust’s spokesperson declined to provide further details, noting that an internal review was underway.
Why it matters
The Ram temple project is a focal point of national politics and religious sentiment. Any perception of financial impropriety could fuel criticism that the trust is being used to channel undisclosed private money into a politically symbolic undertaking. Opposition leaders have already demanded a full audit of the trust’s accounts, and the Ministry of Law and Justice has reportedly instructed SRJTK to submit a detailed report on recent donations within 30 days. If the cash contribution is found to contravene the FCRA or other regulations, the trust could face legal sanctions, and the broader credibility of the temple‑building process could be undermined.
Background and context
The SRJTK was established in 2020 following the Supreme Court’s verdict on the Ayodhya title dispute, which cleared the way for construction of a Ram temple on the disputed site. The trust is tasked with fundraising, land acquisition, and overseeing construction. Since its inception, the board has relied on donations from individuals, corporations and philanthropic foundations, all of which are required to be recorded in compliance with Indian trust law and the FCRA, which governs foreign contributions to charitable and religious entities.
Champ Rai previously chaired the trust’s finance committee, while Anil Mishra served as a senior legal adviser. Both have been involved in the trust’s fundraising strategy and its legal compliance framework. Their resignations mark the first senior‑level departures linked to a specific donation controversy.
The cash donation at the centre of the row was reported to be “several crore rupees,” but the donor’s identity has not been disclosed. Critics, including members of the opposition and several civil‑society groups, argue that the lack of transparency violates statutory norms that require disclosure of donor details, especially when contributions exceed thresholds that trigger FCRA scrutiny.
Competing claims and uncertainty
The trust’s statement frames the resignations as voluntary and emphasizes an internal review of donation procedures. It has not confirmed whether the cash contribution was domestic or foreign, nor has it provided documentation of the donor’s identity or the method of receipt.
Opposition parties, citing the same media reports, claim that the undisclosed donor could be a foreign entity seeking to influence a high‑profile religious project, thereby breaching the FCRA. They have called for an independent audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and for the Ministry of Law and Justice to enforce stricter compliance.
The Ministry of Law and Justice, according to unnamed sources cited in the Times of India report, has asked the trust to submit a detailed report on recent donations within 30 days. The ministry has not publicly commented on whether it suspects any legal violation.
Legal experts note that the FCRA requires any foreign contribution to a religious trust to be pre‑approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs and to be recorded in a separate bank account. Without the donor’s identity, it is impossible to determine whether the cash donation falls within these parameters. At the same time, the trust’s internal procedures for vetting large cash gifts have not been made public, leaving a gap in the evidentiary record.
What to watch next
* Detailed donation report – The trust is expected to submit a comprehensive report to the Ministry of Law and Justice within the next month. The content of that report, particularly any disclosure of donor identity and the mode of receipt, will be crucial.
* Government response – The Ministry of Law and Justice may issue further directives, potentially involving the Ministry of Home Affairs if foreign‑origin funds are suspected. Any legal notice or directive for a forensic audit would signal heightened regulatory scrutiny.
* Parliamentary debate – Opposition members have indicated they will raise the issue in the Lok Sabha, demanding a parliamentary committee review of the trust’s finances. A formal debate could pressure the government to act.
* Civil‑society monitoring – Transparency NGOs such as the Association for Democratic Reforms have pledged to file Right‑to‑Information (RTI) applications seeking copies of the trust’s donation registers. Their findings could add independent verification to the trust’s internal review.
* Potential legal action – If evidence emerges that the cash donation violated the FCRA or other trust‑law provisions, the Enforcement Directorate or the Income Tax Department could initiate investigations.
Conclusion
The acceptance of Champ Rai’s and Anil Mishra’s resignations underscores the sensitivity of financial management in a project that sits at the intersection of religion and politics. While the trust has pledged an internal review and has complied with a government request for a detailed donation report, the lack of publicly available donor information leaves open the possibility of regulatory breach. The next 30 days will be pivotal: a transparent disclosure could restore confidence, whereas continued opacity may invite legal challenges and further political fallout, potentially affecting the timeline and public perception of the Ram temple’s construction.
Sources
– Times of India, “Ram temple donation row: Trust accepts Champat Rai, Anil Mishra’s resignation,” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ram-temple-donation-row-trust-accepts-champat-rai-anil-mishras-resignation/articleshow/132213359.cms
Story synopsis gathered from: Times of India – Top Stories — source
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