The Special Task Force (SIT) of the UP government can submit its report to the Chief Minister in the Ram Temple offering theft case. After the report the government will take action on this. On Friday (June 19), Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said not to spare even a single accused. Meanwhile, the question is arising that how much can the UP government interfere in the Ram Mandir Trust? Because, Ram Mandir Trust has been established by the Central Government on the instructions of the Supreme Court. The rules made for the operation of the temple trust have also been notified by the Centre.
Whereas former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has raised questions regarding the investigation. Akhilesh posted on social media and wrote – SIT, take care. Lest the investigation report itself be stolen. Then they will say wait for 15 more days. The days are increasing because the evidence is piling up.
Under whom is Ram Mandir Trust?
On 5 February 2020, as per the order of the Supreme Court, the Union Home Ministry issued a notification announcing the establishment of Ram Mandir Teerth Kshetra Trust. It is an autonomous trust, whose headquarters is in Greater Kailash, Delhi. After its establishment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told in the Lok Sabha – This is an independent trust. This trust will take decisions regarding the construction and operation of the temple.
Later the Central Government announced the names of 15 members of this trust. Mahant Nritya Gopal Das was appointed the chairman of the trust. Champat Rai was made the General Secretary. A Dalit was also included in the trust. Not only this, representatives of the central and state governments are also involved in this. The District Magistrate of Ayodhya is also in the trust.
Rules regarding operation of trust
1. A 15-member committee was formed to run the Ram Mandir Trust. The work of this committee was to raise funds for the construction and maintenance of the temple. It was said that the committee members would not be paid any salary. However, if the members undertake a journey related to temple construction, they were told to be given allowance for the same.
2. Trust members cannot sell the immovable property of the temple. Apart from this, it was announced to prepare a balance sheet every year regarding the donations made. It also mentioned that the trust should be audited every year.
Question- Can the government interfere?
Ram Mandir Trust is an autonomous trust. The Trust has the right to take all decisions. Whatever news has come out so far regarding theft of offerings, it is only about movable property. For example, money and gold and silver are said to be missing. No case has come to light regarding immovable property. There are total 15 members in the trust including the Chairman.
Till now the Trust has not officially taken any decision regarding this. The Trust has only recommended investigation by UP SIT in this entire matter. That too in a very confidential manner. That means nothing is clear on this yet. The first decision in the case of Ram temple offering will be taken by the Trust only.
The trust can take any action after the SIT report. There is hardly any major action in this matter at the government level. Even if a decision is taken, it will be from the Central Government. Because, the government cannot interfere much in the matter of religion.
Why religious crisis for the government?
1. Matter of trust religion- Ram Mandir Teerth Kshetra is a trust, which deals with religious activities. In many previous decisions of the Supreme Court, it has been clearly stated that the government cannot interfere in religious trusts. In the case of Kesavanand Bharti vs Government of India, the Supreme Court had formally drawn the Lakshman Rekha. However, in 2014, in the case of Subramanian Swamy vs. Government of Tamil Nadu, the Supreme Court said in its decision that if there is a situation of mismanagement, then the government can intervene in it for some time.
2. Matter of life prestige- One of the people against whom allegations are being made is Anil Mishra, a member of the trust. Mishra has been the host of Pran Pratistha. In Sanatan Dharma, Pran Pratistha is mentioned in Vishwamitra Samhita. Pran Pratishtha means to install an idol in the temple with the help of mantras. The person performing Pran Pratistha remains responsible for the lifetime of worshiping and taking care of that idol.
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