Who is Champat Rai: Who is Champat Rai? What is his role in Ram Mandir Trust? Why is his name in discussion in the Ram temple offering controversy? Why is Champat Rai being discussed everywhere during Yogi Adityanath’s Ayodhya visit? What action has been taken so far in the Ram Temple offering theft case?
Ram Mandir Donation Row: Ayodhya is once again in the news these days. This time the reason is not any festival or celebration, but the controversy of alleged misappropriation and theft in the offerings of Ram temple. On Friday, June 19, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself reached Ayodhya, visited Hanumangarhi and Ramlala and lashed out at the opponents in the public meeting. But Champat Rai was discussed the most. Yogi, the biggest face of Ram Mandir Trust, stayed away from this entire event. At that time he was in Karsevakapuram, about 4 kilometers away from Ram Janmabhoomi. In such a situation, the question is arising that who is Champat Rai, whose name has repeatedly come at the center of this entire controversy? What is his connection with Ram temple? How have they become so powerful? Let’s know the story…
Who is Champat Rai?
Champat Rai is currently the General Secretary of ‘Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’. In simple language, the main responsibility of the day-to-day functioning of the temple, accounting of money, supervision of the temple construction and interaction with the media rests on his shoulders. Be it big announcements related to the temple, arrangements or presenting the side of the Trust, Champat Rai is often seen in front.
Where is Champat Rai from, what did he do earlier?
Champat Rai is a resident of Bijnor district of western UP. His father was associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), so since childhood he started going to the branches of the Sangh. He started his career as a teacher. He used to teach Chemistry at RSM Degree College, Bijnor. In the 1980s, he left his job and became a full-time pracharak of the Sangh to serve the country. He strengthened the organization in places like Agra, Dehradun and Haridwar.
The warlord behind the scenes of Ram Mandir movement
When the Ram Mandir movement gained momentum in the 1980s, Champat Rai was sent to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). He became the closest and trusted commander of the movement’s biggest leader Ashok Singhal. According to the BBC report, Champat Rai was never seen giving speeches on many stages, but he used to make the entire strategy behind the scenes. Champat Rai was responsible for collecting evidence and documents for court cases, holding meetings with big lawyers and keeping the workers across the country united.
When will Champat Rai become the general secretary of Ram Mandir?
It is because of his hard work that when the Supreme Court’s decision came in 2019 and the government formed a trust to build the temple, Champat Rai was made its general secretary. In the year 2021, when the nationwide donation campaign (‘Nidhi Samarpan Abhiyan’) was launched, its entire command was also in the hands of Champat Rai.
Why are questions being raised on Champat Rai in the Ram Temple offering theft controversy?
Samajwadi Party and other opposition parties allege that crores of rupees in temple offerings and donation money have been stolen. However, the SIT investigation has so far revealed the names of some employees counting the donated money and about Rs 2 crore and some gold have also been recovered from them. The SIT team also interrogated Champat Rai for several hours on the first and second day and understood the entire process.
What is going on regarding Champat Rai?
Champat Rai’s fans say that Champat Rai lives a very simple life. He has worked for the organization for decades without any greed, so his personal honesty cannot be doubted. Whereas critics and opponents believe that since Champat Rai holds the highest administrative post of the Trust, if such a big mess has happened right under his nose, then the accountability also falls on him.
What did CM Yogi say?
During his visit to Ayodhya today, CM Yogi Adityanath has clearly said that SIT has been set up to investigate the case of theft of Ram temple offerings, which will turn milk into water. He has appealed to the people to ‘wait for 15 days, no culprit in this case will be spared.’
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