A belief that runs India’s grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya has roped in an Indian Air Power veteran to be the Hindu shrine’s first chief government officer (CEO) in a management shake-up following a donation embezzlement row, Indian media reported.
Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, who retired from the Air Power in April 2026, was appointed CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Belief on Wednesday.
In accordance with information company ANI, greater than 5,000 candidates had been vying for the submit.
The temple in Uttar Pradesh was inaugurated in 2024 by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fulfilling a key Hindu nationalist pledge.
The temple website has been a controversial flashpoint as a result of it was constructed on grounds the place the Sixteenth-century Babri Masjid, or Mosque of Babur, as soon as stood. The mosque was demolished by Hindu mobs in 1992, triggering bloody riots that left almost 2,000 individuals lifeless.
Mishra’s appointment comes after the Ram Temple grew to become embroiled in controversy in latest months following allegations of theft involving donations and choices value tens of millions of rupees.
Mishra served as chief of the Indian Air Power’s Western Command through the 2025 Indian navy strikes, dubbed Operation Sindoor, which New Delhi stated focused “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
“I additionally think about this the blessings of Lord Ram that after 43 years of service to the nation within the Air Power, He has given me the chance to serve Shri Ram Mandir (temple) and Shri Ram bhakt (devotees),” Mishra instructed information company ANI.
Opposition slams transfer
The appointment has additionally drawn political criticism, significantly within the wake of the donation-related allegations surrounding the temple belief.
The opposition Congress get together has questioned Mishra’s appointment.
“Will appointing a brand new CEO or bringing in new individuals within the Belief deliver again the donations by devotees? Has motion been taken towards the thieves?” Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai stated in an interview with ANI.
“Will the retired Air Marshal take motion towards these thieves and ship them to jail? When will the motion be taken and the stolen cash be introduced again?” he added.
Congress chief Imran Masood instructed information company PTI that the job was for “saints and seers.”
“Now, as an alternative of saints and seers working contained in the Ram Temple, a retired Air Marshal will probably be doing the work,” he stated.
