Ayodhya: For the first time since the Ram Mandir donation theft controversy surfaced, Ayodhya’s Sant Samaj has publicly backed senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader and former Ram Temple Trust general secretary Champat Rai. The body of seers has also demanded his re-induction into the Ram Temple Trust.
Where did the meeting happen?
A joint meeting of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and saints and mahants was held on Thursday at the Ram Satsang Bhawan in the Mani Ramdas Chhawani.
Around 300 seers from different temples, akharas and mutths across the state gathered for the meeting in Ayodhya.
VHP general secretary Bajrang Lal Bagra, who attended the meeting, said that, “The seers of Ayodhya were of the view that the Ram Temple Trust members have worked with sincerity. They have pleaded to Ram Lalla to punish the guilty. The saints also felt that those who come out clean after the inquiry should be allowed to serve society again.”
What happened in the daylong meeting?
The meeting also expressed concern about dispelling the distrust that has arisen among millions of Ram devotees across the country following the theft of donations and protecting the reputation of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra. The Sant Samaj appealed to Ram devotees to maintain their faith in Shri Ram by staying away from rumors and propaganda and to trust the SIT investigation.
The four Ayodhya seers, Kamal Nayan Das, Rajkumar Das (Ram Ballabh Kunj), Ramanand Das (Ram Katha Kunj) and Swami Mithlesh Nandini (Hanumant Niwas), who were appointed to the nine-member religious committee constituted on Wednesday by the Trust, also attended the meeting and came out in support of Champat Rai.
The saints also cautioned people, especially Ram devotees, against falling prey to the alleged false propaganda being spread by a section of political leaders over the theft of donation money from the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Did the seers support Champat Rai?
During the meeting, the seers, including Kamal Nayan Das from Maniram Das Chhavni, Mahant Ramdas from Hanumangarhi, said that Champat Rai should be re-appointed to the Trust if he is given a clean chit by the SIT.
The meeting expressed delight at the formation of a religious committee comprised of saints from the Ramanandiya tradition to organize daily worship, aarti, offerings, and all religious festivals at the Ram Temple.
Rajkumar Das, an official from Ramvallabh Kunj, who has been included in the religious committee, said that the accused are in jail and the investigation is ongoing. We should not jump to any conclusions before the investigation is complete. Another Mahant, Acharya Mithilesh Nandisharan, said that the nine-member religious committee will ensure the worship of Ram Lalla and the convenience of devotees in accordance with the Ramanandiya tradition.
When did Champat Rai resign?
Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Trust, and Anil Mishra, a key Trust member, had submitted their resignations on June 27. Their resignations were accepted by the Trust board at its meeting on July 6.
