The race for the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) post of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust entered a crucial phase with eight candidates being interviewed on Tuesday. Four former bureaucrats and four former military officers were among those interviewed on the first day.
The interview process is expected to continue for four more days. As per a Trust official, only 18 candidates have been shortlisted from 5,300 applicants for the interview.
The appointment of a CEO for the Temple Trust assumes significance as the Ram Mandir administration undergoes a major restructuring aimed at making the temple’s functioning more professional, transparent, and institutionally accountable. The Trust decided to appoint a full-time CEO following the allegations of embezzlement of Ram temple donations.
Among bureaucrats interviewed on Tuesday were three former IAS officers and an ex-IPS officer.
Among ex-IAS officers interviewed on the first day for the CEO post are former Jaunpur District Magistrate Dinesh Chandra , former Ayodhya DM Yogeshwar Ram Mishra, and Sameer Pandaya.
The inclusion of IAS officers highlights the kind of administrative experience that could prove valuable for a temple that now has to manage an increasingly complex ecosystem involving devotees, security agencies, local administration, finances, infrastructure, and multiple stakeholders.
Ex-IAS Yogeshwar Ram Mishra deserves a special mention, as he brings direct experience of administering Ayodhya and dealing with the city’s unique combination of religious tourism, local administration, security, and large-scale pilgrim management.
But it was former IPS officer Rajesh Pandey’s presence in the race that attracted particular attention because of his policing background. He was associated with high-intensity policing operations and encounters, which earned him a reputation as an “encounter specialist”.
He has worked as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Lucknow, Meerut, and Aligarh districts and thus brings on-ground experience in maintaining order and ensuring rules and regulations needed for the post.
Candidates are being assessed not merely on their administrative experience but also on their previous responsibilities, leadership capabilities, institutional-management experience, and personal background.
According to sources, the candidates appearing for interviews were asked questions on their faith in Lord Ram and Hindu religious practices, their leadership abilities, religious and social engagement, and their vision and work plan for the Ram temple.
Candidates were asked whether they were “hardline Hindus” or simply believers. In addition, they were also asked about wearing attire according to Hindu religious practices, like sporting a braid and wearing ‘janeu’ (sacred thread), as well as about their food habits, whether they are pure vegetarian or non-vegetarian and if they consume liquor or are teetotalers, sources added.
The selection panel comprises former Supreme Court judge Justice Pramod Kohli, Lt Gen (Retd) Vishnukant Chaturvedi, and Suresh Haware, thus bringing together judicial, military, and institutional-management experience. The panel will select three candidates for the Trust to take a final call on the appointment.
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