Mumbai – On Friday, the Maharashtra legislature approved a bill that obliges any prospective member of the management committee of the state’s prominent Ramtek temple to submit a formal declaration of being a devotee of Shri Ram of Ramtek. The provision follows a similar debate in Ayodhya, where the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust has also emphasized devotion as a key hiring criterion.

Legislative Details and Historical Context

Ramtek, located roughly 50 km from Nagpur, is revered in local tradition as a refuge where Lord Ram spent part of his 14‑year exile. The temple draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year, especially during Ram Navami and Kartik Purnima. The newly passed bill now requires every trustee appointed to the temple’s governing body to file a prescribed form affirming their devotion to Lord Ram of Ramtek.

Comparison with Ayodhya’s Trust and Political Reactions

In Ayodhya, the Janmabhoomi Trust recently formed a three‑member panel to hire its first CEO, explicitly listing “Ram ke prati shraddha ka bhav” as a primary qualification. While the Ayodhya clause is a preference, Maharashtra has elevated the devotion requirement to a statutory condition. Opposition leaders have seized on this difference, calling the clause unconstitutional. NCP (SP) MLA Jayant Patil asked, “How can anyone be a devotee of Lord Ram from a particular area? Are you dividing devotees?” Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai questioned the practicalities of verification, “What mechanism does the government have to cross‑check such an affidavit?”

Criticism, Conflict‑of‑Interest Concerns, and Financial Implications

Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar highlighted the ongoing controversy surrounding the Ayodhya trust, noting a reported ₹1,400 crore theft, and asked why politicians should be placed on the Ramtek trust board and receive allowances for “serving Lord Ram.” The bill also outlines honorarium, travel, and daily allowances for trustees, funded from a dedicated management corpus. State Minister Ashish Jaiswal, who introduced the legislation and represents the Ramtek assembly seat, defended the move as a step toward transparent and efficient temple administration amid growing financial activities and property holdings.

Looking Ahead: Legal and Administrative Challenges

Opposition parties have raised potential conflicts of interest, noting that Jaiswal himself would become an ex‑officio trustee under the new framework. The debate now centers on whether the devotion declaration can withstand constitutional scrutiny and how the government intends to verify the authenticity of such statements. As the bill moves toward implementation, the broader question remains whether it will enhance temple governance or further entangle religious institutions in political maneuvering.