The race to become the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is growing rapidly and former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur is now formally looking to become the chief executive officer. The appointment is a big deal for the Ram Mandir administration at a time when governance and institutional management are being under fire in the Ram Mandir as we can see.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust recently invited applications for the newly created CEO post and the application process is open until July 18. The chosen candidate will be responsible for the daily operation of the temple in the absence of the Trust in the day-to-day management, as well as the Trust’s decisions, finances and staff and ensuring smooth operations as millions of devotees visit the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
Amitabh Thakur Enters the Race
Among the most prominent applicants is Amitabh Thakur, a 1992 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
Thakur was compulsorily retired from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on March 23, 2021 following a number of departmental investigations and disciplinary proceedings. The government said that this was based on the public interest and according to the law of the service he was found unfit to keep in government service. Had he continued in service, Thakur would have retired in 2028.
After his compulsory retirement Thakur announced the formation of a political party named 'Adhikar Sena' and had previously indicated his intention to contest the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. However, he later withdrew from the electoral race.
Transparency at the Centre of the Debate
The CEO selection process comes at a time when the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has been facing questions regarding its administrative practices.
In recent months, allegations of the theft of devotees’ offerings have reignited public debate and renewed demands for more transparency and stronger institutional oversight.
Earlier this month, Amitabh Thakur publicly called upon the Trust to make its trust documents, annual reports and financial statements available in the public domain.
Thakur said that since the Trust has always maintained that it is an autonomous body and not subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), voluntarily disclosing financial records would help to build public confidence and improve accountability.
He called on the Trust to publish key documents in advance so that devotees and the general public could understand and appreciate its functioning more.
Key Eligibility Criteria
The Trust has set out a number of eligibility criteria for CEO.
One of the most often mentioned requirements is that the applicant must be a practising Hindu. Besides that, candidates should hold a great deal of administrative experience and have proven knowledge and capability to manage large organisations or institutions.
The position is so important for the Ram Mandir as it has seen a steady increase in the number of pilgrims since the consecration of the temple.
Trust Seeks Professional Management
As for the decision to appoint a CEO, Trust Treasurer Govind Dev Giri said there was an increasing need for professional management in the organisation.
He said that having an experienced executive would establish greater institutional accountability, enhance administrative efficiency and minimize operational lapses in the future.
The CEO will be responsible for implementing the Trust’s decisions on human resources, financial administration and maintaining the daily operations of the temple and maintaining high levels of transparency and governance.
With applications open until July 18, now everything is focused on Ayodhya as the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust prepares to appoint its first-ever Chief Executive Officer. The appointment is expected to shape the management structure of one of India’s largest religious institutions.
