Ayodhya/Lucknow: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s decision to induct three new trustees and appoint its first chief executive officer has opened the next phase of institutional restructuring at the Ram temple, with key questions regarding tenure, powers and administrative authority still being worked out.The three newly inducted trustees, Mahesh Bhagchandka, advocate Madan Mohan Pandey and Dr Nirmala Yadav, are expected to visit Ayodhya on Thursday to seek the blessings of Ram Lalla and tour the temple complex. While Pandey is based in Ayodhya, Yadav is from Firozabad and Bhagchandka is from Delhi. All three joined Wednesday’s trust meeting virtually and have been requested to visit the temple at the earliest to complete formalities related to their appointments.Sources said Bhagchandka, who has been appointed treasurer, is expected to bring some close associates along with a chartered accountant who may assist him in overseeing the Trust’s growing financial operations.Interestingly, Bhagchandka’s name was initially under consideration for the influential position of general secretary. However, senior functionaries associated with the Sangh Parivar reportedly felt that his extensive business commitments across multiple sectors would leave him with limited time to supervise the day-to-day functioning of the temple complex, where more than 1,500 employees and workers are engaged in various capacities across the 70-acre campus.Sources said former general secretary Champat Rai favoured elevating Swami Govind Dev Giri to the post, arguing that he was already deeply involved in the Trust’s functioning and could provide continuity at a time of organisational transition. The proposal eventually found acceptance among senior stakeholders, leading to Govind Dev Giri’s elevation from treasurer to general secretary.The appointments have also raised questions regarding the status of the newly inducted trustees. It was not immediately clear whether Bhagchandka, Pandey and Yadav would enjoy the same lifelong status as the Trust’s existing permanent trustees or be appointed for a fixed tenure.Sources said the eight existing permanent trustees are expected to seek legal opinion before taking a final call on the tenure and powers of the new entrants. One proposal under discussion is to appoint some of the new trustees for a three-year term with limited rights, broadly on the lines of ex-officio members. A final decision is expected before appointment letters are formally issued.The Trust is similarly examining the legal and procedural framework required to bring Air Marshal (Retd) Jeetendra Mishra on board as its first CEO. Members are expected to review provisions contained in the original trust deed to determine the nature of the CEO’s role and the extent of authority that can be delegated under the existing structure.Trust insiders said the matter requires careful examination because the original deed provides only limited scope for amendments while preserving the institution’s foundational character. The CEO’s reporting structure, powers and responsibilities are therefore expected to be defined only after legal consultations.The meeting also saw several senior religious leaders joining virtually. Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati of Prayagraj, Swami Paramanand Giri of Haridwar and Swami Vishwaprasannatheertha of Udupi participated online, choosing not to leave their religious seats during Chaturmas, the four-month period traditionally observed by many Hindu saints.After the meeting, senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad functionaries, including Dinesh and Bajrang Lal Bagra, visited Bharat Kuti in Karsewakpuram to meet former general secretary Champat Rai, underlining his continuing influence within the wider Ram temple ecosystem despite stepping away from day-to-day administration.Welcoming his appointment, trustee-designate Madan Mohan Pandey said he viewed the new role as a continuation of his long association with Ram Lalla.“I have served Ram Lalla as an advocate for a very long time in the courts. I am fortunate to get an opportunity to continue my service, albeit in a different capacity, as a trustee of the Ram Temple,” Pandey said.For now, the Trust’s focus remains on finalising the status of the new trustees and defining the administrative architecture around the newly created CEO post. Those decisions are likely to shape the governance structure of the Ram temple institution for years to come.
