Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has criticised the recent restructuring of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party is effectively deciding the appointments made to the body.

His remarks came after the Trust appointed three new members and named retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mishra, who previously headed the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor, is expected to oversee the temple’s management and financial affairs.

Yadav questioned the process of selecting the new officials, saying that while the appointments may be presented as impartial, the BJP was behind the selections.

He also raised questions about the clean chit given to Trust general secretary Champat Rai in the donation theft case. Yadav asked why those who worked under officials who received a clean chit were not similarly cleared.

Ram Temple Trust appoints three new members

The Trust has inducted Madan Mohan Pandey from Ayodhya, Mahesh Bhagchandka from Delhi and Nirmala Yadav from Shikohabad as new members.

The changes followed the arrest of several people in connection with the alleged theft of donations and the resignation of some Trust officials.

Eight people linked to the donation theft have been arrested, with some reportedly caught on camera during the alleged acts. Champat Rai’s driver was among those arrested. Rai later received a clean chit from the Special Investigation Team probing the case.

Opposition questions CEO appointment

Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ajay Rai also criticised the decision to appoint a CEO. He said there was no need for such a position and argued that a religious scholar should instead be appointed, with the selection made by religious leaders, Shankaracharyas, saints and seers.

The latest appointments and administrative changes have therefore triggered renewed political debate over the management of the Ram Temple Trust and the handling of its finances.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has defended India’s 7.8 per cent GDP growth recorded in the April-June 2026 quarter, hitting out at those questioning the credibility of the latest economic data.

Speaking at the annual session of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) in Delhi on Wednesday, Mr Goyal said critics were comparing figures from different GDP series and accused them of misleading the public.

The minister said the base year had changed and argued that comparisons should be made using the same series.

Piyush Goyal Targets GDP Critics

Without naming them directly, Mr Goyal appeared to refer to former finance secretary Subhash Chandra Garg and former Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan, both of whom have raised questions about the latest growth figures.

Mr Goyal said ministers do not manufacture GDP data and maintained that the figures reflected the truth. He also criticised what he described as a negative approach towards India’s economic performance.

He further took a swipe at critics questioning why strong economic growth had not translated into more jobs, saying they were “the only jobless people left” and suggesting that appearing on television panels was the only job they were pursuing.

Raghuram Rajan Questions Growth And Jobs

Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan has expressed doubts over whether the latest growth numbers accurately reflect the state of the economy.

Rajan questioned whether the reported growth was real and pointed to what he described as discrepancies that needed attention. He also raised concerns about employment and investment.

He asked why, if the economy was growing at such a rapid pace, India was not generating more jobs, particularly better-quality jobs, and why investment was not picking up.

Subhash Chandra Garg Raises Base-Year Concerns

Former finance secretary Subhash Chandra Garg also questioned the headline 7.8 per cent growth figure.

Garg said the figure appeared impressive but needed to be examined in greater detail. He pointed to a revision in the previous year’s current-price GDP, saying it had been revised from Rs 86 trillion to Rs 80 trillion.

According to Garg, without that revision, growth in current prices would have been only 2.6 per cent.

The debate comes after India recorded 7.8 per cent GDP growth in the April-June quarter, with questions being raised over the methodology, revisions and the relationship between headline growth and job creation.

Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra has been appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Mishra, who served in several senior positions in the Indian Air Force, was selected after more than 5,500 applications were received for the post. His appointment comes as the temple trust undertakes structural changes aimed at strengthening its administrative and financial management.

Jeetendra Mishra’s military career

Mishra joined the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in December 1986 and retired in May 2026 after more than 38 years of service.

During his career, he held several important command and staff positions. He served as the chief of the IAF’s Western Command and was in the position during Operation Sindoor.

Mishra also served as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations), commanded a fighter squadron and held senior roles at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment. He was also associated with operational planning and assessment.

The former Air Marshal has received the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal for his service.

How Mishra was selected

The Ram Temple Trust received 5,585 applications for the CEO position. A search panel headed by retired judge Pramod Kohli evaluated the applicants.

The panel also included retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi and former scientist Suresh Haware.

Applicants were assessed under a 600-mark framework, while 16 candidates appeared for final interviews in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12.

A trust official said three highly qualified professionals were recommended after assessment on institutional leadership, management expertise, integrity and vision.

Mishra was ultimately selected for the position.

Three new members added to temple trust

Mishra’s appointment is part of wider changes within the Ram Temple Trust. Three new members have also been added to the trust — Madan Mohan Pandey from Ayodhya, Mahesh Bhagchandka from Delhi and Nirmala Yadav from Shikohabad.

The changes follow a donation theft controversy involving the temple’s donation-counting process. According to the report, eight people, mostly linked to the counting of donations, have been arrested.

The trust’s general secretary, Champat Rai, also resigned amid the controversy.