Ram Mandir Trust row: Seer writes to Modi seeking Yogi, Bhagwat as trustees
Synopsis
Amid allegations of donation irregularities at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, a prominent Hindu seer has written to PM Modi demanding that CM Yogi Adityanath be made a lifetime member of the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat be inducted as a trustee — a move framed as a governance fix, but one that would deepen the BJP and RSS's institutional footprint over the temple.
Key Takeaways
Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya wrote to PM Modi on 12 July seeking restructuring of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust .
The letter urges appointment of UP CM Yogi Adityanath as a lifetime member of the Trust.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and a Mahant from Hanuman Garhi Temple are also sought as trustees.
The seer demanded reappointment of former General Secretary Champat Rai and inclusion of Mahant Devendra Prasadacharya and Mahant Vaidehi Vallabh Sharan .
Paramhans Acharya alleged, without independent verification, that the INDIA bloc and Samajwadi Party were involved in the temple donation controversy.
Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya, the Peethadhishwar of Tapasvi Chhawani, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging a restructuring of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, amid mounting controversy over alleged donation irregularities at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. The letter, sent on Sunday, 12 July, calls for the appointment of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as a lifetime member of the Trust and the inclusion of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat as a trustee.
What the Letter Demands
Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya stated that the letter was written on behalf of Dharmacharyas, saints, and followers of Sanatan Dharma across the country. He said the core demand is that new appointments to the Trust be made only after careful evaluation of candidates.
'We have requested that Gorakhnath Math Peethadhishwar and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath should be appointed at the highest post of the Ram Temple Trust as a life-time member,' he said.
Beyond Yogi and Bhagwat, the letter also seeks the reappointment of former Trust General Secretary Champat Rai, the inclusion of a Mahant from Hanuman Garhi Temple, Mahant Devendra Prasadacharya, and Mahant Vaidehi Vallabh Sharan of Vaman Mandir.
Why These Names, and Why Now
The push for high-profile appointments comes against the backdrop of allegations of financial misappropriation linked to donations received at the Ram Temple — a controversy that has drawn national attention and put the Trust's governance under scrutiny. The seer argued that bringing in figures of stature such as Yogi Adityanath and Mohan Bhagwat would restore credibility and prevent future instances of alleged embezzlement.
'The letter has been addressed to the Prime Minister so that the sanctity of the temple of Lord Ram remains intact and the faith of followers of Sanatan Dharma across the world is maintained,' Paramhans Acharya told reporters.
Political Allegations Surface
Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya also levelled sharp allegations against the Opposition INDIA bloc, accusing it of playing a role in the Ram Temple misappropriation controversy. He specifically targeted the Samajwadi Party, alleging it was attempting to plant members inside the Trust to obtain insider information and repeat similar allegations in the future.
'As part of its conspiracy, the INDIA bloc made certain volunteers enter the Ram Temple to carry out the theft and insulted it globally,' he alleged. He further claimed that the Samajwadi Party was 'attempting to carry out something big so that such allegations can be repeated.' These are allegations by the seer and have not been independently verified.
What Happens Next
Paramhans Acharya expressed confidence that the government would handle the new Trust appointments with 'utmost care and attention.' The Ram Temple Trust has not issued an official response to the letter as of Sunday. With the Ayodhya temple remaining a politically and spiritually sensitive institution, any restructuring of its governing body is likely to draw significant scrutiny from all quarters.
Point of View
But it would effectively formalise the BJP-RSS axis within the temple's administrative structure — a significant institutional step that goes beyond the spiritual. The donation controversy has opened a rare window of public scrutiny over the Trust's functioning, and the seer's letter, whatever its intent, arrives at a moment when the temple's credibility is being contested in the public sphere. The Opposition's alleged involvement, as claimed by Paramhans Acharya, remains unverified and should be treated as political allegation rather than established fact. What is clear is that the battle over who controls the narrative — and the governance — of Ayodhya's Ram Temple is far from settled.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya written to PM Modi about the Ram Mandir Trust?
The seer wrote to PM Modi on 12 July amid controversy over alleged donation irregularities at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, urging that new Trust appointments be made carefully. He specifically sought the induction of UP CM Yogi Adityanath as a lifetime member and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as a trustee to strengthen governance and prevent future misappropriation.
Who are the key names proposed for the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust?
The letter proposes UP CM Yogi Adityanath as a lifetime member, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as trustee, a Mahant from Hanuman Garhi Temple, Mahant Devendra Prasadacharya, and Mahant Vaidehi Vallabh Sharan of Vaman Mandir. It also seeks the reappointment of former General Secretary Champat Rai.
What is the Ram Temple donation controversy about?
Allegations of financial irregularities in donations received at the Ayodhya Ram Temple have surfaced, prompting calls for reform of the Trust's governance structure. The full details of the alleged misappropriation are still under scrutiny and have not been independently verified.
What role does the seer allege the INDIA bloc played in the controversy?
Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya alleged, without independent verification, that the INDIA bloc orchestrated volunteers entering the temple to carry out theft, and that the Samajwadi Party is attempting to plant members inside the Trust to gather insider information. These are the seer's allegations and have not been corroborated.
Has the Ram Mandir Trust responded to the letter?
As of Sunday, 12 July, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had not issued an official response to Paramhans Acharya's letter to PM Modi.
