Ram Temple in Ayodhya
NEW DELHI: The Nirmohi Akhara has moved the Supreme Court seeking directions for what it calls the “proper implementation” of a Constitution bench’s November 2019 Ayodhya judgment that led to the cobstruction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.In a miscellaneous application filed through its Sarpanch, Mahant Raja Ramchandracharya Ateet Guru Mahant Raghunath Dasji Maharaj, the Akhara contended that while the Centre constituted the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in compliance with the judgment, it failed to provide the Akhara the role and representation envisaged by the court.Relying on paragraphs 804 and 805(4) of the judgment, the Akhara argued that the Supreme Court had directed that it be given an appropriate role in the temple’s management and suitable representation in the trust, considering its historical association with the formerly disputed site. These directions, it claimed, remain unimplemented.The application further alleged that the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has effectively functioned as a “private trust” without adequate oversight or accountability. It sought its reconstitution as a public trust with greater transparency and structural safeguards.The Akhara also argued that it has not received meaningful representation, contending that the nomination of a single individual by the central government cannot amount to representation because, under its Panchayati system, representatives are chosen collectively by the Panchayat, not through unilateral government nomination. It also sought recognition of its traditional role in overseeing sewa, bhog, puja and other religious rituals at the Ram Temple, asserting that these should continue in accordance with the centuries-old Ramanandi traditions followed by the Akhara.Referring to recent allegations concerning the handling of donations and valuables at the temple, the application argued that the controversy underscores the need for “stronger accountability” within the trust. It cited reports of an SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government, the resignation of certain trustees, and the arrest of persons allegedly linked to the trust’s accounts. The application also challenged the replacement of the original deities, contending that the trust was authorised only to administer the temple and not to substitute the idols recognised in the Ayodhya litigation. It sought restoration of the original deities to the sanctum sanctorum or, alternatively, their return to the Akhara.The Akhara has sought directions to reconstitute the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust as a public trust; ensure adequate representation for the Akhara on its Board of Trustees; recognise its role in religious affairs; frame guidelines for trustee appointments; restore the original deities; appoint an independent committee to examine implementation of the 2019 judgment; and order a forensic audit of the trust’s financial and property-related transactions.(With ANI inputs)
