
Candidates for the first full-time CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust were asked about their religious practices, diet, alcohol use, and faith in Lord Ram via a 34-point Google…
Candidates for the first full-time CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust were asked about their religious practices, diet, alcohol use, and faith in Lord Ram via a 34-point Google form. Eight of the 18 shortlisted candidates from over 5,200 applicants faced face-to-face interviews in Ayodhya on Tuesday, 11 August. Times Now reports that 16 candidates were interviewed overall. The selection panel includes former Supreme Court judge Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lt Gen Vishnukant Chaturvedi, and Suresh Haware. A final decision is expected by 2 September.

The trust decided to appoint a full-time CEO after allegations of embezzlement of donations surfaced. Hindustan Times reports that eight people have been arrested in the case, and three officials, including former general secretary Champat Rai, have stepped down. The CEO will be the highest executive authority, handling finance, security, and rituals for the temple complex.
Some are calling the religious questionnaire a litmus test of personal piety, but the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is a temple trust, not a corporation. Faith is rightly relevant to its CEO. The real test, however, is whether the new CEO can clean up the financial mess after the embezzlement allegations that forced three officials out. The Centre and RSS are overseeing the pick, which raises its own questions. Will the trust finally show transparent accounts and a credible audit? That is the number to watch.
Sources (4): hindustantimes.com, news.abplive.com, indiatvnews.com, timesnownews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 4 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 4 sources.