Ayodhya seers, VHP to chart Ram Temple roadmap amid donation row, focus on Ramanandi traditions
The meeting, scheduled to begin at 3 pm at Maniram Das Chhawani, the residence of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Foundation chairman Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, came a day after the Foundation postponed key decisions on appointing its first chief executive officer (CEO) and filling three vacant trustee posts.
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Speaking to PTI Videos, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das’ successor Kamal Nayan Das said that the main theme of Thursday’s talks will be “Rashtra aur Sanatan” (Nation and Sanatan Dharma).
“Muttas and temple representatives from all over Ayodhya will attend the meeting,” he said.
Ensuring that all rituals, festivals and worship methods at the Ram Temple are conducted strictly in accordance with the Vaishnav-Ramanandi tradition is expected to be one of the main agenda items.
Jai Ram Das, associated with the organisers, said the participants will discuss creating a mechanism through the Foundation to ensure that every religious ceremony at the temple adheres to the Ramanandi tradition and also spread awareness about its importance across the country. The Ramanandi tradition, a Vaishnav sect that worships Lord Ram as the Supreme Being and traces its lineage to the saint Ramananda, forms the religious basis of the Ram Temple. Daily rituals, aarti, bhog and other ceremonies in the temple are traditionally performed according to Ramanandi traditions and scriptures.
Temple management sources said there was objection by some seers to the adoption of practices associated with the Ramanujacharya tradition, largely practiced in south India. According to sources, these deviations arose due to the increasing influence of “non-North Indians and non-natives” within the temple administration.
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The meeting will also discuss ways to restore public confidence in the Foundation following the alleged donation theft case.
Jai Ram Das said discussions would focus on “those trying to defame Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Foundation on the pretext of donation theft case” and added that participants would consider “socially boycotting such elements”.
The meeting will also felicitate five Ayodhya-based saints who were inducted into the Foundation’s reconstituted Religious Committee on Wednesday.
Participants are also expected to discuss measures to prevent recurrence of alleged irregularities related to devotees’ offerings, in order to preserve both the credibility of the Foundation and the sanctity of Sanatan traditions.
While Jai Ram Das said that VHP officials related to religious and literary activities will attend the meeting, there is no confirmation whether Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) officials will be present.
On Wednesday, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust reconstituted its Religious Committee by appointing five Ayodhya-based saints – Mahant Dinendra Das, Mahant Mithilesh Nandini Sharan, Mahant Janmejay Sharan, Mahant Gyan Das and Mahant Vishnu Das – to oversee temple rituals, festivals and religious ceremonies in accordance with the Vaishnav-Ramanandi tradition.
However, the Foundation postponed decisions on the appointment of a permanent general secretary, filling three vacant trustee positions and electing the temple’s first CEO, saying these issues would be considered after further consultation.
Thursday’s meeting is important in the backdrop of the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations that emerged in June. Following preliminary investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), an FIR was registered on June 25 and eight people were arrested.
During the investigation, police seized cash, gold, silver, foreign currency and a donation box with “Ramrajya Kosh” written on it. The controversy also led to the resignation of former general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra.
