Amid the controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Construction Committee chairman Nripendra Misra has called for major reforms in the temple’s management system.
Speaking to India Today TV, Misra said the controversy had exposed weaknesses in supervision, accountability and the implementation of established procedures. He stressed that the temple’s administration should be handled by experienced professionals and not rely heavily on informal arrangements.
Misra, a former IAS officer and ex-principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said the allegations had deeply hurt him, especially as the temple construction project is nearing completion. He added that the incident had also affected the trust of devotees.
According to him, nearly 1,500 people are involved in various activities at the temple complex, making a structured management system essential. He said many workers currently function as volunteers without clearly defined responsibilities or written instructions.
The controversy began after allegations surfaced that donations worth several crores of rupees were misappropriated. The claims led to a political row and prompted the Uttar Pradesh government to set up a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. The temple trust has denied any wrongdoing and said its accounts are regularly audited.
Misra said he reviewed documents issued between 2023 and 2025 and found that detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) already existed for handling donations. However, he claimed these procedures were not properly followed.
He also pointed to shortcomings in the handling of cash, coins and jewellery donated by devotees. According to him, supervision during counting and transportation of donations was inadequate, creating room for possible lapses.
The issue has triggered political reactions across Uttar Pradesh. Opposition leaders have demanded transparency in the management of temple funds, while some BJP leaders have also sought greater disclosure of financial records.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has rejected all allegations and maintained that audits have found no evidence of missing funds. The trust has also requested a detailed investigation, claiming misinformation is being spread to damage the temple’s reputation.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged people not to jump to conclusions and said the SIT probe will establish the truth. He also assured that anyone found guilty would face action, regardless of their position.