Champat Rai’s article on Nripendra Misra’s role in Ayodhya temple construction sparks controversy
VHP leader Champat Rai has published an article criticizing Nripendra Misra for exercising excessive control over the Ram temple construction project in Ayodhya. While acknowledging Misra's role in overcoming obstacles, Rai claims Misra sidelined other committee members.
Why it matters
Reveals internal friction within the organizations managing one of India's most significant religious construction projects.
Former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust (SRJTKT) general secretary and senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Champat Rai , in an article released on August 18, said Ram temple construction committee chairman Nripendra Misra exercised near-complete control over the temple’s construction and “considered himself the principal authority on all decisions”.
In the nine-page Hindi article, shared in the VHP media group, Mr. Rai claimed that no work on the Ram temple was undertaken without Mr. Misra’s approval and that decisions taken without his involvement were rejected.
“Shri Nripendra Misra brought several people of his choice into the temple construction committee to assist him. One of them visited Ayodhya only once or twice during the previous six years, while another was consulted on security-related matters. A third member, Shri Anoop Mittal, former chairman of NBCC, regularly attended the temple construction committee meetings,” Mr. Rai wrote.
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