Ram Temple CEO Candidates Face Unusual Faith and Dietary Questions in Selection Interviews
Dietary Habits and Sacred Threads Dominate Screening
Applicants for the first full-time chief executive officer post at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya faced questions regarding their dietary habits, sacred threads, and religious attire during interviews on Tuesday, according to multiple news reports. The screening process was initiated by the Trust to appoint a dedicated administrator following allegations of financial embezzlement involving temple donations.
Closed-Door Sessions Inside the Temple Complex
Eight candidates were interviewed on Tuesday during closed-door sessions held at the Green House inside the Ram temple complex, according to sources cited by The Times of India, The Hindu, and The Indian Express. The applicants were asked whether they wear a janeu or sacred thread, whether they consume vegetarian or non-vegetarian food, and if they drink alcohol or remain teetotallers.
Additional questions focused on whether candidates wear traditional Hindu attire, whether they consider themselves hardline Hindus or general believers, and their personal faith in Lord Ram. The interviews also covered leadership capabilities, social and religious engagement, and proposed work plans for managing the temple. Each interview lasted approximately 40 to 50 minutes.
Elite Bureaucrats and Military Veterans Among Shortlisted Applicants
The eight individuals interviewed on Tuesday were part of an initial shortlist of 18 candidates culled from roughly 5,200 applicants. The shortlisted group includes former IAS officers Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and Sameer Pandaya, former IPS officer Rajesh Pandey, and former Jaunpur district magistrate Dinesh Chandra, alongside former military officers and former administrators of South Indian temples.
A Three-Member Panel and Extended Selection Timeline
The three-member selection panel conducting the interviews comprises retired Supreme Court judge Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lt. Gen. Vishnukant Chaturvedi, and Suresh Haware. The panel is tasked with zeroing in on three final names for the Trust to decide upon. The interviews, initially slated for two days, are now expected to extend over four days.
Background on Embezzlement Allegations and Media Restrictions
The decision to establish a full-time CEO position follows financial scrutiny stemming from alleged embezzlement of donations made to the Ram temple. The controversy prompted the arrest of eight individuals and led to the departure of three officials, including former Trust general secretary Champat Rai.
Prior to their interviews, candidates arrived in Ayodhya on Monday and were given a guided tour of the temple complex. Trust officials instructed applicants not to speak with the media throughout the selection process. Once their interviews conclude, the candidates are scheduled to return to New Delhi via Ayodhya airport.