Spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur called for the creation of a "Sanatan Board" to prevent the misuse of donations intended for the Ram Mandir.
The proposal follows a series of embezzlement allegations that have shaken the trust of donors and highlighted vulnerabilities in how temple funds are managed. Establishing a formal board would aim to strengthen Sanatan traditions, and ensure financial transparency.
Speaking from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on July 12, Thakur said that a dedicated board is necessary to safeguard the credibility of the faith. "If we focus solely on temple thefts, we risk bringing disrepute to the Sanatan faith," Thakur said [1].
This call for oversight comes amid a legal crackdown on fraud in Ayodhya. Authorities recently recovered Rs 79.85 lakh from a donation theft case [2]. Eight accused individuals were arrested and sent to judicial custody following a court appearance in late June [2].
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has signaled a zero-tolerance approach toward those stealing from religious institutions. "No one will be spared," Adityanath said [3].
The scandal has already led to significant leadership changes within the temple's administration. Trust officials Champat Rai and Anil Mishra resigned from their positions following the row [4]. Rai said that the trust was "shocked, hurt, and deeply saddened" by the events [5].
Thakur said that a Sanatan Board would provide a systemic solution to prevent future financial irregularities. By implementing a centralized oversight mechanism, the board would monitor the collection and allocation of funds to ensure they reach their intended destination without interference from fraudsters [1].
“"If we focus solely on temple thefts, we risk bringing disrepute to the Sanatan faith."”
The push for a Sanatan Board represents a shift toward institutionalizing the management of religious funds in India. By moving from trust-based oversight to a formal board, religious leaders seek to mitigate the reputational risk caused by high-profile fraud cases and provide a layer of accountability that can withstand the scale of global donations flowing into major sites like the Ram Mandir.
