Ayodhya, July 9 (IANS) Hindu seers in Ayodhya on Thursday sought the resignation of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Treasurer Govind Dev Giri, holding him responsible for the alleged irregularities in the donations made at the Ram Temple and accusing him of “yielding dominance” over Ram Janmabhoomi.

Speaking to IANS, Mahant Sitaram Das of Saket Bhavan Temple said: “There has been no statement regarding the resignation submitted by (Trust General Secretary) Champat Rai, and no clarification has come from him either. He (Govind Dev Giri) is making statements on his own, out of excessive enthusiasm.”

“He is a Sanatani but attempting to show his dominance over Shi Ram Janmabhoomi,” he alleged.

The seer accused the Ram Temple Trust Treasurer of weaving a controversy against Champat Rai, in order to “dominate influence” over the Trust.

“I am extremely disappointed; he (Govind Dev) is arrogant and does not possess any value of being a saint. In fact, the treasurer is responsible for whatever has happened and not Champat Rai who has led the struggle for the Ram Temple and faced several hardships for the same,” Mahant Sitaram Das said.

He demanded the resignation of Govind Dev Giri, saying that the sentiments of the seer community are “extremely hurt”.

Mahant Deveshacharya ji Maharaj of Siddh Peeth Hanumangarhi Temple said: “Yesterday, Govind Dev Giri spent four to five hours in a meeting trying to convince everyone. There is a state of confusion in society and nothing is being clarified.”

“So far, the agenda of the (upcoming) meeting (of the Temple Trust) has not been made public and neither the resignation of Champat Rai. So how are we supposed to believe that he has resigned and if he indeed has then for what is he now being persuaded for due to which Govind Dev Giri met him?” he asked.

Mahant Deveshacharya also demanded the resignation of the Trust Treasurer, saying: “He (Govind Dev) himself had said that he did not have any authority or responsibility, then how was he holding the position of the treasurer?”

“It is a propaganda and people are being misled so that the issue is slowly erased out of public memory,” he alleged.

Meanwhile, Mahamandaleshwar Vishnu Das ji Maharaj held all members of the Ram Temple Trust accountable for the alleged embezzlement.

“For the Ram Temple, Ram devotees faced bullets and karsevaks made sacrifices. Therefore, everyone is accountable, whether it is Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, or the treasurer. I cannot support anyone because… somewhere I believe there has been a conspiracy,” he told IANS.

He urged for the constitution of a “Sanatan Board”, underling that its formation would have prevented thefts at the Ram Temple, Badrinath Temple and other Hindu places of worship.

–IANS

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