Ram Temple Trust Plans Stronger Monitoring and Oversight: Govind Dev Giri

AYODHYA (UP), Sep 4: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will tighten its monitoring and administrative oversight to prevent incidents such as the recent theft at the Ram temple, its newly appointed general secretary Govind Dev Giri said on Friday.

Giri said the trust would adopt stronger supervision systems and ensure greater accountability in the management of the temple complex. He said the recent theft could have been avoided through continuous monitoring and stressed that such incidents should not be allowed to recur.

“Even a small theft in Lord Ram’s darbar is a serious crime for me,” Giri said, adding that ensuring adequate safeguards against such offences was among the trust’s primary responsibilities.

He said assigning responsibilities to different personnel would have to be accompanied by regular supervision, as administrative systems could weaken over time without proper oversight.

Giri also defended the appointment of Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retd) as the trust’s first chief executive officer, describing the move as part of an effort to bring greater discipline and professionalism to the temple’s administration.

He drew a distinction between the temple’s religious functions and its administrative responsibilities, saying rituals, worship and festivals would continue to be guided by saints and learned acharyas.

However, he said managing employees, visitor arrangements and other operational activities required a more structured and professional approach.

“The temple’s worship, festivals and traditions are the work of saints and learned acharyas,” Giri said, while emphasising the need for modern management methods for administrative functions.

According to Giri, the CEO would be required to remain closely involved with the temple complex and oversee its day to day administrative arrangements. He said Mishra’s appointment would help establish a more disciplined system of functioning.

Giri also praised Mishra’s personal religious outlook, describing him as a devoted follower of Lord Ram and a spiritually inclined person. He said Mishra follows religious practices and reads the Bhagavad Gita regularly.

Recalling a conversation with the new CEO, Giri said Mishra had told him that he reads one chapter of the Gita every day.

Giri said Mishra’s understanding of religious values would help maintain administrative discipline without affecting the temple’s established traditions.

The newly appointed CEO has already held several meetings with trust officials and personnel to understand the temple complex, its workforce and the responsibilities attached to his position. Giri said three detailed meetings had taken place over two days as part of the familiarisation process.

The trust is now moving towards a combination of traditional temple practices and contemporary management systems, Giri said.

He indicated that changes had already begun, citing revised arrangements for the Shringar Aarti as one of the initial steps.

The trust is also reviewing facilities at the Sita Rasoi Ann Kshetra, with the objective of improving the experience of devotees receiving prasad and ensuring greater dignity and convenience.

Giri said improving facilities for pilgrims and visitors would remain another priority. The trust also intends to strengthen its engagement with Ayodhya’s saints and local residents as part of the temple’s broader administrative and community oriented approach.

He said the objective was to ensure that religious traditions remained protected while the management of the temple complex became more organised, transparent and professionally supervised.