Ram Temple Donation Row: Is It Time to Replace the Trust With a Shrine Board?
Ram Temple in Ayodhya (image Ram temple trust on X)
By GULSHAN RAI KHATRI
As the alleged donation theft at the Ayodhya Ram Temple sparks political controversy, this opinion argues that a statutory shrine board could restore transparency, accountability and public confidence.
New Delhi, July 9, 2026 — The alleged theft of donations from the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya has not only embarrassed the Uttar Pradesh government but has also put the Central government in an uncomfortable position. Although the exact amount stolen has not yet been determined, preliminary investigations suggest that between ₹2 crore and ₹7 crore may have been siphoned off from temple donations. Opposition leaders, however, claim the actual figure could be several times higher.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) owes much of its political rise—not only in North India but across large parts of the country—to the Ram Temple movement.
Later, when the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the construction of the temple and the project was completed, it was widely regarded as one of the BJP’s biggest political achievements. Now, however, the alleged theft of donations at the temple has become a source of political difficulty for the party.
The BJP’s primary concern is that if the donation theft controversy escalates further, it could inflict political damage. The timing is particularly sensitive, with less than a year remaining before the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
If the issue is not resolved quickly, the party may find it difficult to defend itself during the election campaign. The office-bearers of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust have long been viewed as individuals who enjoy the confidence of either the BJP or the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Even if they are found to have had no direct involvement in the alleged theft, the party may still struggle to answer questions about institutional accountability.
The central question likely to be asked of the BJP is: Shouldn’t the Trust’s leadership be held accountable for what happened under its watch?
These elections are especially significant because the BJP has governed Uttar Pradesh for the past decade. As with any long-serving government, anti-incumbency is expected to be a factor.
The party had already suffered a major setback in Uttar Pradesh during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. After winning 64 parliamentary seats in the state in 2019, its tally fell to just 33 in 2024—despite the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Temple only four months before the election. The BJP also lost the Ayodhya parliamentary constituency itself.
Against this backdrop, the alleged donation theft could emerge as another contentious issue in the upcoming Assembly elections.
The BJP leadership appears conscious of this risk, which explains why both the party and the government are preparing to take stringent action against those accused.
Yet there is another concern: if the investigation probes deeper, it may uncover additional controversies, including questions surrounding land purchases made shortly before construction of the temple began. Some of those transactions had already attracted public scrutiny.
Is It Time for a Different Governance Model?
The alleged donation theft at the Shri Ram Temple Trust has deeply shaken public sentiment. If the controversy grows more serious, the government may have to consider an alternative governance structure in place of the existing Trust.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was established by the Central government in February 2020 following the Supreme Court’s verdict. It functions as a charitable trust, which means it does not operate under direct governmental accountability.
One possible alternative would be for Parliament or the government to enact a law creating a statutory board on the lines of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
The Vaishno Devi Shrine Board was constituted under a law enacted by the Jammu and Kashmir government. Its administration is overseen by public authorities, with the Lieutenant Governor appointing its members.
Significantly, since the Board’s establishment, there have been no major reported cases of donation theft or comparable financial irregularities. The Board has also been credited with significantly improving facilities for pilgrims throughout the shrine area.
If the government were to adopt a similar model for the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, replacing the current Trust with a statutory board, it could help restore the institution’s credibility after the donation theft controversy. More importantly, it could reassure devotees and rebuild public confidence by strengthening transparency and accountability in the temple’s administration.
(This is an opinion piece. The views and proposals expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Raisina Hills.)
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