Instead, candidates sitting down for closed-door interviews in Ayodhya encountered an unexpected questionnaire probing deeply into their private lives, asking whether they wear a janeu, consume non-vegetarian meals, or drink alcohol, according to sources reported by ABP Live.
Inside the Ayodhya Interviews
The selection process for the high-profile temple post began on Tuesday inside the Green House facility situated within the Ram temple complex. Out of a staggering pool of roughly 5,200 initial applicants, 18 candidates were ultimately shortlisted for final interviews. On the first day of evaluations, eight individuals faced a three-member selection panel, fielding questions designed to test both their administrative mettle and their personal adherence to traditional Hindu practices.
The committee, which features former Supreme Court judge Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lt. Gen. Vishnukant Chaturvedi, and Suresh Haware, structured interviews to last roughly 40 to 50 minutes per candidate. Beyond standard executive inquiries regarding leadership capabilities and operational vision for the sprawling temple complex, the panel dove into personal lifestyle habits. Candidates were explicitly asked if they wear the sacred thread, whether their diet is strictly vegetarian, and if they maintain total abstinence from alcohol, as noted by ABP Live.
Veterans of Civil Service in the Spotlight
The roster of contenders reflects the monumental administrative weight of managing one of India’s most significant religious sites. Among those called before the panel are seasoned bureaucrats and law enforcement veterans. Former IPS officer Rajesh Pandey and former Jaunpur district magistrate Dinesh Chandra participated in the initial round of interviews alongside former IAS officers Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and Sameer Pandaya.
Before stepping into the interview room, the shortlisted applicants arrived in Ayodhya to tour the temple complex and inspect the grounds they hope to administer. The Trust imposed strict instructions barring candidates from speaking to the media throughout the duration of the selection process. Once their evaluations conclude, the candidates are slated to return to Delhi.
Financial Scrutiny and the Push for Reform
The urgency behind appointing a permanent, full-time CEO stems from severe financial controversies that recently plagued the administration. The Trust resolved to install a dedicated chief executive following allegations of embezzlement tied to temple donations. That financial scandal triggered intense scrutiny over internal accounting controls, leading to the arrest of eight individuals and the high-profile exit of three officials, including former Trust general secretary Champat Rai.
With oversight concerns mounting, the selection committee faces the delicate task of balancing immaculate bureaucratic experience with unyielding ideological and personal alignment. Once all interviews wrap up across a planned four-day window, the panel will distill the remaining field down to three finalists, handing the final decision over to the broader Trust.
The Path Forward for the Trust
As the interviews continue behind closed doors in Ayodhya, the appointment of the Ram Mandir’s first CEO marks a defining administrative pivot. The chosen candidate will inherit not only the daily logistical challenges of a world-class pilgrimage destination but also the heavy burden of restoring absolute public trust in the institution’s financial stewardship.
What do you make of the Trust’s blending of administrative requirements with personal lifestyle inquiries? Share your perspective in the comments below.
