Ram Temple Trust Appoints Jagdish Aphale as First Secretary Amid Donation Issues

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has made a significant organizational shift by appointing Jagdish Aphale, an alumnus of IIT Bombay, as its inaugural secretary. This decision comes in the wake of ongoing controversies regarding alleged mismanagement of donations intended for the temple. The formal ratification of Aphale's role is anticipated during the Trust's meeting scheduled for September 2. In addition to his new position, he will also serve as the authorized signatory for the Trust, with a new proposal submitted to the State Bank of India (SBI) to update the signatory information. The previous deadlock concerning the authorized signatory was reportedly resolved following the resignations of Trust members Champat Rai and Dr. Anil Mishra. This stalemate had previously hindered salary disbursements for approximately 1,000 employees and delayed payments to various contractors involved in the temple project. Following the submission of the new proposal, SBI has resumed its account operations, allowing for the continuation of essential financial transactions.

Aphale has played a crucial role in the construction of the Ram Mandir, having previously served as the project's manager. Notably, he has been fulfilling his duties without receiving a salary. With a background in electrical engineering, Aphale holds both B.Tech and M.Tech degrees from IIT Bombay. His professional experience includes working with multinational corporations overseas, and he has been affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since his youth. In parallel to Aphale's appointment, the Trust is nearing the conclusion of its search for a spokesperson, with an announcement expected shortly. Interim General Secretary Krishna Mohan indicated that the selection of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will require additional time, reflecting the ongoing adjustments within the Trust's leadership structure.