New Delhi — The board of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra (SRJTK), the trust overseeing the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, announced on Thursday that it had accepted the resignation of its chief, Champat Rai, during a high‑level meeting of the organization’s senior officials.
The decision was confirmed in a statement released by the trust, which said Rai submitted his resignation “effective immediately” and that the board had formally accepted it after a review of the trust’s operational needs. The announcement came amid broader discussions about the trust’s governance structure and the pace of temple construction, which began after the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict that cleared the way for the shrine’s development.
The meeting, attended by senior trustees, senior government officials, and representatives of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), also reviewed progress on the temple’s architectural plans and funding allocations. While the trust did not disclose the reasons behind Rai’s departure, it indicated that the change would not affect ongoing work or the projected timeline for the temple’s completion, which is slated for 2028.
The resignation follows a period of heightened public scrutiny of the trust’s financial management and procurement processes. Critics have previously called for greater transparency, arguing that the trust’s sizable donations—estimated at over ₹1,000 crore—require stricter oversight. Government officials have repeatedly assured that audits are being conducted, though detailed reports have not been publicly released.
Analysts note that the timing of the resignation could reflect internal disagreements over the trust’s strategic direction, particularly as the central government seeks to balance religious aspirations with broader political considerations ahead of the 2029 general elections.
The trust’s next steps include appointing an interim chief and convening a special committee to oversee the transition. It also pledged to maintain regular communication with stakeholders and to continue its collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India on heritage and preservation matters.
Analysis: Champat Rai’s departure may signal a shift in the trust’s internal dynamics, possibly driven by differing views on project management or political pressures. The trust’s commitment to an uninterrupted construction schedule suggests an effort to mitigate any perception of delay or mismanagement. Observers will be watching the appointment of Rai’s successor for clues about the trust’s future governance and its alignment with the ruling party’s broader cultural agenda.
Sources
– Indian Express, “India news LIVE updates, 6 July 2026: Ram Temple trust accepts chief Champat Rai’s resignation at key meeting,” https://indianexpress.com/article/india/today-india-breaking-news-live-updates-6-july-2026-mumbai-pune-landslide-trains-cancelled-neymar-retirement-10773292/
Story synopsis gathered from: Indian Express – India — source
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