Ram Temple Trust Proposes Jagdish Aafle For New Secretary Post

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is expected to appoint Jagdish Aafle, the Ram Temple's construction project manager, as its first secretary as part of an ongoing administrative restructuring. According to temple sources cited by PTI, the proposal will be placed for approval during the trust's executive meeting scheduled for September 2. If approved, the appointment will mark the creation of a new key administrative position within the trust overseeing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Interim General Secretary Krishna Mohan has confirmed that Aafle's name has been proposed for the post. Alongside the appointment of a secretary, the trust is also considering candidates for the newly created role of official spokesperson. While several names are reportedly under consideration, no final decision has yet been taken regarding that position. The appointments form part of broader efforts to strengthen the trust's organisational structure.

Jagdish Aafle, originally from Maharashtra and currently based in Pune, is an engineering professional with academic qualifications from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Technology degree from the institute. Aafle is also associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and is understood to have worked in India, Europe and the United States before returning to India following his retirement.

Also Read: Retired Bureaucrats Dominate Race For First CEO Post Of Ram Temple Trust

According to sources, Aafle joined the Ram Temple project as an honorary project manager on the recommendation of the RSS when construction work commenced. Since then, he has overseen various aspects of the temple's construction and has been residing with his wife within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra premises in Ayodhya. His technical background and long association with the project are believed to have contributed to his selection for the proposed administrative role.

The proposed appointment comes amid significant changes within the temple trust following allegations of misappropriation of cash donations offered by devotees. In June, the trust sought an investigation into the matter, leading to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). A preliminary report was submitted later that month, after which police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and arrested eight individuals in connection with the alleged irregularities.

The controversy prompted General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra to step down from their respective positions, paving the way for the ongoing restructuring of the trust's administration. The proposed appointment of Jagdish Aafle as the trust's first secretary is seen as part of these reforms aimed at strengthening governance and operational oversight. A formal announcement is expected after the executive committee considers and approves the proposal at its September 2 meeting.

Also Read: First CEO Appointment Process Begins At Ram Temple Trust, Applications Invited Till July 18