Lucknow: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has decided not to back or recommend any of its functionaries for the post of chief executive officer (CEO) of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, signalling its intent to stay away from the temple’s day-to-day administration and avoid any perception of retaining operational control.“We have taken a conscious decision not to press for any name for the post of Ram Temple CEO. The VHP does not and should not have any role in the running of the temple administration,” VHP international president Alok Kumar told TOI on Tuesday.His remarks come days after VHP international vice-president Champat Rai stepped down as general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra (SRJTK) Trust amid the controversy over the alleged embezzlement of temple donations. Kumar said the VHP had “nothing to do” with the trust’s choice of CEO. The trust has invited applications for the post, with July 18 as the deadline. Eligible candidates must be graduates aged between 50 and 70 years and possess at least 20 years of managerial experience in a large organisation or government department. Preference will be given to those who have served as chief administrative officers or managed temples and Hindu religious institutions.The VHP’s stand is significant given its central role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and its long association with the temple. Sources said the move reflects a shift from movement-driven leadership to a more professional institutional governance model as the temple enters a crucial operational phase.However, the decision to stay out of the CEO selection process does not necessarily mean that the VHP or RSS will cease to have influence. The name of VHP national general secretary Bajrang Bagra had been discussed for the post of trust general secretary before Krishna Mohan, a retired Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer, was appointed interim general secretary.Though not a VHP office-bearer, Mohan has an RSS background and served as the organisation’s Kshetra Sanghchalak for eastern Uttar Pradesh. He was the complainant when the trust lodged an FIR against the alleged embezzlement of donations at the temple. Mohan was inducted into the trust on Sept 9, 2025, following the death of trustee Kameshwar Chaupal, the Bihar-based Dalit leader associated with the VHP who laid the first brick for the Ram temple in 1989.Sources said the VHP and RSS have stepped up their engagement in Ayodhya following the donation embezzlement allegations, which caused embarrassment to the Sangh Parivar. Bagra is understood to be stationed in Ayodhya and is overseeing developments related to the proposed reconstitution of the trust.The trust is scheduled to meet on July 22 to reconstitute its five internal committees and review the Special Investigation Team’s final report, if it is submitted by then.
