Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retd) has been appointed the first CEO of the Ram Mandir Trust, alongside three new trustees, including its first woman member.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, has carried out its biggest administrative restructuring since its formation in 2020. The Trust has appointed retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first full-time Chief Executive Officer and inducted three new trustees.

The new trustees are Madan Mohan Pandey, Mahesh Bhagchandka and Nirmala Yadav. Yadav's appointment is particularly significant as she becomes the Trust's first woman member.

The restructuring comes months after allegations of theft involving donations at the Ayodhya temple and is intended to create a clearer separation between the Trust's policy-making role and the temple's day-to-day administration.

Jeetendra Mishra Named CEO

Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retd) was appointed the Trust's first full-time CEO on Wednesday, September 2.

Mishra described the appointment as an opportunity to serve the Ram Mandir and devotees after more than four decades in the Indian Air Force.

He joined the IAF's fighter stream on December 6, 1986, and completed nearly 40 years of military service before retiring in April 2026.

During his career, Mishra accumulated more than 3,000 hours of flying experience and operated more than 18 types of fighter and transport aircraft and helicopters.

Kargil War Role

Mishra's military career includes a significant role during the 1999 Kargil War.

As a Squadron Leader, he was part of the team that operationalised laser-guided bombs for Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft. The weapons were subsequently used during attacks on strategic Pakistani positions, including Tiger Hill and Muntho Dhalo, as part of Operation Safed Sagar.

He later held several operational, instructional and staff positions within the Air Force.

His experience in planning, coordination and managing complex operations is expected to be relevant to his new administrative responsibility at the Ram Mandir Trust.

Operation Sindoor Commander

Mishra also played a prominent role in India's Operation Sindoor in May 2025.

He was serving as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the IAF's Western Air Command when India launched military strikes following the Pahalgam terror attack.

The Western Air Command is one of the IAF's most important operational commands, and Mishra was responsible for the command during the operation.

He later discussed aspects of the military operation in a podcast, including how Indian forces identified and targeted locations deep inside Pakistan.

For his role, Mishra received the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, one of India's highest military decorations for distinguished wartime operational planning and execution.

Three New Trustees Added

Along with appointing the CEO, the Trust has added three members to its governing body.

The new trustees are Madan Mohan Pandey, Mahesh Bhagchandka and Nirmala Yadav.

Yadav's appointment marks a notable change in the Trust's composition because she is its first woman trustee.

The additions come as the temple institution prepares to manage an increasingly large administrative and operational workload following the opening of the Ram Mandir to devotees.

CEO To Handle Operations

The creation of a full-time CEO changes the way the Trust will manage the temple's affairs.

Previously, trustees were directly involved in overseeing several operational functions. Under the new structure, the CEO is expected to take responsibility for routine administration and implementation.

The Trust itself can focus more heavily on policy, strategic decisions, oversight and long-term planning.

The move effectively creates a distinction between governance and daily management, similar to administrative structures used by large religious and public institutions.

Donation Allegations Prompt Scrutiny

The administrative overhaul comes months after allegations surrounding the theft of donations at the Ram Mandir triggered scrutiny.

The matter has reportedly been investigated by authorities, including a Special Investigation Team. The allegations have raised questions about security, donation management and accountability at the temple.

The appointment of a dedicated chief executive could strengthen administrative oversight and create clearer lines of responsibility for financial and operational matters.

However, the Trust's new structure will have to demonstrate that it can improve transparency while efficiently managing the temple's rapidly expanding operations.

Bigger Role For New Trust

The Ram Mandir has become one of India's most prominent religious destinations since its consecration in January 2024.

The number of devotees visiting Ayodhya has created growing demands involving crowd management, security, accommodation, donations, infrastructure and temple administration.

Against this backdrop, the appointment of an experienced former senior military officer as CEO represents a significant shift in the Trust's administrative approach.

Mishra's background in operational planning and leadership, combined with the induction of three new trustees, is expected to shape the next phase of the Ram Mandir's management.

The changes also signal an effort to build a more structured administrative system as the Ayodhya temple continues to expand its religious and public significance.

Congress leader says 'corruption cannot be accepted in Ram's name'; addresses 10-day DCC training camp valedictory

Congress national media and publicity department chief Pawan Khera arrived in Raipur on Sunday night for the valedictory function of the party's 10-day residential training camp for District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents. Even before he addressed the gathering, Khera launched a blistering attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), asserting that the organisation had no contribution to India's freedom struggle.

"Organisations like the RSS have never participated in the freedom movement. They have only worked to weaken the country and Hindu society," Khera told reporters upon his arrival.

Taking aim at RSS senior pracharak Indresh Kumar's recent remarks on Mahatma Gandhi, Khera said he would not waste much time responding to such statements, adding that issues concerning the public were far more important.

 'Corruption in Ram's name unacceptable'

The Congress leader also trained his guns on the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust amid the ongoing donation controversy. Khera questioned the functioning of the temple trust, alleging it was constituted under RSS influence and oversight, with the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) also keeping a watch on its activities.

"Corruption in the name of Lord Ram cannot be accepted," Khera said, linking the trust to what he described as a pattern of irregularities in temple administration.

The controversy relates to the resignation of Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and Trustee Anil Mishra following allegations of misappropriation of donations. Khera has previously questioned the RSS and the Centre's role in temple administration, demanding an impartial probe.

 Training camp concludes in Raipur

The 10-day training camp, which began on June 20, saw participation from newly appointed DCC presidents from across the country. The camp focused on organisational strengthening, election preparedness, media management and better public communication.

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had earlier visited the camp in Abhanpur on Sunday, spending 40 minutes with senior leaders and holding direct interactions with district and city presidents.

Khera praised the training initiative and called for similar camps to be conducted nationwide. "Such a long camp was organised, in which Rahul Gandhi also came," Khera told reporters.

 Political context

The Congress attack comes at a time when the party is looking to rebuild its organisational structure ahead of upcoming elections. The Raipur camp was seen as a key initiative to align district-level leadership with the party's central messaging.

Earlier, on June 19, Khera had launched a scathing attack on the RSS, backing Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge's call for the RSS to register as an organisation and operate under the Constitution.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, meanwhile, used the occasion to criticise the Congress over the 1975 Emergency, accusing Indira Gandhi of suppressing constitutional rights.

Senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh launched a scathing attack on the Central government, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Saturday over alleged financial irregularities and donation theft at the Ram Mandir Trust. Speaking at a press conference in Ujjain, Singh labeled the trust's General Secretary, Champat Rai, as "corrupt" and demanded the immediate registration of an FIR against him.

Singh argued that since the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was directly constituted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ultimate accountability for any financial discrepancy rests with the Prime Minister's Office.

Massive Awareness Campaign Across 609 Panchayats

The veteran leader announced that the Congress party will not let the issue slide and is planning a massive rural outreach campaign to take the allegations to the grassroots level.

Congress Rural Outreach Blueprint (Ujjain District):

├── Target Jurisdiction: 609 Gram Panchayats

├── Operational Units : Specialized sector and mandal-level committees

└── Core Strategy     : Door-to-door distribution of descriptive leaflets

"Congress has formed dedicated committees across all 609 panchayats in the Ujjain district. Our workers will go door-to-door to inform common citizens and Sanatana believers about how the institutional donations meant for Lord Ram's temple were siphoned off," Singh stated.

Serious Allegations Over Gold, Silver, and Foreign Funding

Digvijaya Singh questioned Champat Rai’s credentials and association with religious affairs, alleging that structural auditing has exposed severe mismanagement regarding high-value donations.

"Who is Champat Rai? He hails from Uttar Pradesh and has no inherent background in theology or religious administration. He was an RSS pracharak who was later absorbed by the VHP. The public display of simplicity is a facade. Massive discrepancies have been detected in the accounting of donated silver bricks, jewelry, cash, and foreign contributions," Singh alleged.

He further leveled criticism at the temple's Pran Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony held in Ayodhya, claiming that established Vedic traditions were openly violated. According to Singh, scriptural norms dictate that congregational rituals must be performed by a married couple (sapatneek), whereas individuals not meeting the criteria were permitted to sit for the core rituals.

"RSS Grabbing Mahakal Temple Land," Claims Singh

Turning his focus to local governance, Singh accused the RSS of encroaching upon prime land belonging to the historic Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. He stated that his opposition dates back to the tenure of former BJP Chief Minister Sunder Lal Patwa, who allegedly allotted temple land to an RSS-affiliated wing.

Singh claimed that he had legally challenged the land transfer in court at the time, adding that the organization has built commercial guest houses on temple properties while marginalizing traditional seers and sadhus. "The current administrative ecosystem is so heavily politicized that common devotees cannot even access the premium Bhasma Aarti slots without recommendation letters from the Bajrang Dal," he alleged.

Warning Issued to CM Mohan Yadav Over Land Scams

During the press briefing, the former Chief Minister waved several files and official land registry documents before reporters. While refusing to prematurely disclose individual names, Singh stated that he has received a fresh batch of incriminating documents following recent investigative media reports on local land scams.

Shifting focus to current Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Singh offered sharp political counsel to the Ujjain-native CM.

"The Chief Minister has hoarded an excessive number of portfolios. Bureaucrats and subordinate officers will commit irregularities under his watch, but the constitutional accountability will fall squarely on him. Do not let this happen, because as an active opposition, we are not going to spare you on the floor of the house," Singh warned.