The Maharashtra government has approved a Bill to reconstitute the trust overseeing the historic Ram temple at Ramtek, sparking criticism from Opposition leaders. This move follows controversies surrounding the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust in Ayodhya, which recently faced allegations of a massive donation theft. The new law mandates that members of the trust’s management committee must declare themselves as devotees of Shri Ram of Ramtek.
The legislation has stirred debate as it makes a declaration of faith a legal requirement for managing the Bhosala Devasthan at Ramtek. The trust’s board will now include government-appointed officials and ex officio members, with trustees entitled to allowances funded by the temple’s reserves. Opposition MLAs have raised concerns about the practicality and division among devotees caused by this requirement.
Congress leaders have criticized the financial aspects of the Bill, especially in light of the reported theft in Ayodhya. The introduction of the Bill by Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal, who represents the Ramtek Assembly constituency, has faced scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest. Despite the pushback, Jaiswal defended the legislation as a move towards transparent and efficient administration of the temple’s affairs.
