Champat Rai, who resigned as general secretary of the Ram Mandir Trust after allegations surfaced in connection with the alleged theft of temple donations, is once again being considered for the post.
According to sources, Rai was given a clean chit at the Vishva Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) national meeting in Delhi on July 22. The following day, several prominent seers in Ayodhya held a meeting in his support and demanded that he be reappointed as general secretary.
Since then, Rai has been meeting seers and mahants regularly. He has been visiting temples, discussing the management of the Ram Temple and seeking to rebuild confidence in his leadership.
Seers: If investigation clears Rai, he should return
Swami Rajkumar Das, head of Ramvallabhakunj and a member of the Ram Mandir’s religious committee, said Rai was considered innocent by the seer community.
“If he is cleared in all the investigations, it would be welcome if he is appointed general secretary again,” Das said.
He said Rai’s return would help strengthen the management of the Ram Temple and serve the interests of the Sanatan community.
Das also highlighted Rai’s contribution to the Ram Mandir movement and its construction, both alongside the late Ashok Singhal and after his death.
The picture is from August 4 (Tuesday). Champat Rai had met Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya, the pontiff of Tapasvi Chhavani.
Seers met in Ayodhya a day after VHP meeting
The VHP held its national meeting in Delhi on July 22. The following day, on July 23, prominent seers from Ayodhya gathered at the Tulsidas Naturopathy Hospital premises of the Maniram Das Chhawani Trust.
The meeting was held in support of Rai.
Those present included Mahant Kamal Nayan Das, Swami Rajkumar Das, Mahant Mithilesh Nandini Sharan, Akhara Parishad spokesperson Mahant Sanjay Das, Vaishnav Akhara Parishad spokesperson Mahant Gaurishankar Das, Tulsidas Chhawani Mahant Janardan Das and Ramkachahari Mahant Shashikant Das, among others.
During the meeting, the seers highlighted Rai’s contribution to the Ram Mandir movement and described the allegations against him as a conspiracy.
They also called for his reappointment as general secretary of the Ram Mandir Trust.
Swami Rajkumar Das Maharaj, head of Sriramvallabhakunj and member of Sriram Mandir Religious Committee, said that if Champat Rai is innocent, he should be made general secretary.
Rai’s supporters seek backing from seers
Sources said people close to Rai had approached seers and mahants at various temples and sought their support for him.
The sources claimed the atmosphere changed after the campaign for his support gained momentum. They also said opposition to Rai within the VHP eased after signals from senior leadership.
The seers subsequently focused on Rai’s contribution to the Ram Mandir movement and described the allegations against him as an alleged conspiracy.
Rai’s supporters have also pointed to his age of 81 and claims that he does not maintain bank accounts.
According to people close to him, Rai is also planning to give up his share of his ancestral property. They said this is his only property and that he may soon transfer it to his brother through a legal registration.
No decision on September 2 expected
Rai could be given charge of the Ram Mandir Trust’s general secretary post again within the next two to three months, according to sources.
The Trust had deferred the appointment at its July 19 meeting. Its next meeting is scheduled for September 2.
However, sources said the Trust is unlikely to take a final decision on the general secretary’s post at that meeting either.
Dr. Krishanmohan, the acting General Secretary of the Ram Temple Trust, had checked the status of the account and locker at the State Bank.
Acting general secretary Krishnamohan also active
Meanwhile, acting general secretary Dr Krishnamohan has stepped up his activities.
He has been visiting the Ram Mandir to review its arrangements and holding discussions with members of the religious committee to improve its functioning.
Six days ago, he visited the Ayodhya branch of the State Bank of India to review the Trust’s bank accounts and locker arrangements.
The picture is from August 6. Champat Rai met Swami Rajkumar Das, Mahant Shashikant Das, Mahant Chhaviram Das, Mahant Ishwar Das Tyagi, and Mahant Ganga Das at Shriramvallabhakunj.
Bajrang Lal Bagda also in contention
VHP international general secretary Bajrang Lal Bagda is also being discussed as a possible candidate for the post.
Bagda was appointed international general secretary of the VHP in February 2024.
As a result, Rai and Bagda are currently the two names being discussed for the general secretary’s position.
Rai observing silence during Chaturmas
Amid the allegations linked to the donation theft case, Rai is staying at the Teerth Kshetra Bhawan in Ayodhya and observing a period of silence during Chaturmas.
Sources claim that efforts could be made to restore his reputation after the vow ends.
The authorities are currently awaiting the final report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is investigating the alleged donation theft.
Meanwhile, Rai has remained in Ayodhya and continues to express his views on decisions related to the Trust, according to sources.
Eight arrested on June 25; Rai resigned the next day
Rai and Ram Temple Trust trustee Dr Anil Mishra resigned on June 26 in connection with the donation theft case.
The first FIR was registered late on June 25 following a complaint by Trust member Krishna Mohan. The FIR did not name Rai, Mishra or other senior Trust officials.
Later that night, eight people, including Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu, were arrested.
