For the greater glory of ‘Maryada Purushottam’ Ram

Most Respected Swamiji,

May I seek your kind permission to apply for the post of Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra? Having gone through the eligibility conditions, I have reached the conclusion that I may be an eligible candidate, notwithstanding a few apparent shortcomings.

I begin with a full disclosure. I have crossed the age of 70. I hope this will not become an obstacle. I am still younger than Prime Minister Narendra Modiji, National Security Advisor Ajit Dovalji, and Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patelji.

I also understand that the applicant should be a practising Hindu, preferably a Vaishnavite. I heard a prominent Hindu leader remark that Jesus Christ could also be regarded as one of the 33 million manifestations acknowledged by Hindu tradition. It illustrates Hinduism’s inclusiveness.

My association with Hindu traditions began in childhood. I remember clutching my father’s hand as he led me into the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

Some may ask how I qualify as a Vaishnavite. I have an answer.

The first avatar of Lord Vishnu was Matsya, the fish. The earliest symbol of Christianity was not the Cross but the fish. The coincidence has fascinated me. I do not think Lord Ram Himself would object to my appointment.

The Ramayana presents him not as a victorious king but as the ideal ruler. That is the true meaning of Ram Rajya: a State where justice is impartial, administration is compassionate and rulers remain accountable to every citizen. It resembles the biblical idea of the Kingdom of God, where righteousness rather than power becomes the guiding principle.

My father inspired my visits to many of India’s great temples. I have had the privilege of visiting Rameswaram, Mathura, Kashi, Somnath, Tirupati, Tanjore, Madurai, Chamundy, Chidambaram, Kalady and many others.

I make no claim to being an expert, but I have approached these places with humility and respect. I shall study every tradition associated with the Shri Ram Temple in greater detail.

Having thus established my theological qualifications, let me come to the practical aspects of the job.

I understand the post carries Cabinet rank and accompanying privileges. These do not excite me. Titles seldom improve administration. A taxable salary somewhere between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1,00,000 would suffice. I would prefer not to undertake any newspaper assignments, consultancy work or other professional engagements while holding this office. The temple administration would receive my undivided attention.

The appointment of a CEO, I understand, has become necessary in the wake of alleged financial irregularities. What disturbed me most was not the alleged scam but the fact that six of the eight arrested employees were receiving salaries of only about Rs 12,000–20,000 a month. Absolute integrity is difficult to expect from an employee who is expected to support a family on such a meagre income while handling enormous amounts of cash every day. Institutions must remove avoidable temptations.

My first administrative decision would be to ensure that no employee receives less than the minimum wages prescribed by the Central and Uttar Pradesh governments. A proper pay structure would be evolved with annual increments, medical benefits, provident fund and post-retirement security. Employees should not have to worry about feeding their families.

The counting and accounting of offerings would be entrusted to the State Bank of India or another public sector bank selected by the Trust. Banking professionals are better equipped to handle such large-scale cash management.

The previous day’s collections — including cash, gold, silver and other valuables — would be uploaded to the temple’s official website. All donors would get receipts for their donations. Every quarter, an internal audit report would be published. At the close of each financial year, a fully audited statement of accounts, approved by the Trust, would be placed in the public domain.

Faith and transparency are not enemies. They strengthen each other.

Cash transactions would be reduced to the bare minimum. Every payment exceeding Rs 5,000 would be made through bank transfer, cheque or other approved digital modes. India has become a global leader in digital payments. Ayodhya would lead by example.

The Trust maintains an account under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. Compliance should never become a matter of anxiety.

As the CEO of a non-governmental organisation with an FCRA registration for a few years, I ensured scrupulous adherence to every provision of the law. There was never any question regarding the receipt or utilisation of foreign contributions. We neither encouraged tax evasion nor tolerated financial indiscipline. I would bring the same standards to Ayodhya. My proposals do not mean or imply that you are not following these principles.

I make a personal declaration: if at any time I or any member of my family is found to have taken even a single rupee belonging to the temple, I shall readily face punishment. A prominent political leader declared that he was prepared to be burnt alive if he failed to fulfil a promise. I make no such offer. But I do say this: anyone who steals from a place of worship offends against law and faith.

I also have a larger dream. India has some of the richest philosophical traditions known to humanity. Yet Hindu theological education lacks an institution comparable to the finest seminaries and theological universities maintained by other faiths. Why should Hindu society not establish a world-class university devoted to Hindu philosophy, theology, and temple studies?

Sanskrit would receive the place it deserves. We would produce Sanskrit scholars capable of engaging the finest universities of the world rather than merely memorising verses. Comparative theology must also form part of the curriculum.

Swami Vivekananda demonstrated how different religious traditions can enrich one another through dialogue. I know a non-Hindu religious leader who earned his doctorate on Shri Narayana Guru. Scholarship knows no religious boundaries.

During my visit to the Ayodhya temple in August 2024, I experienced considerable inconvenience because roads had been closed owing to the visit of a Very Important Person. Security considerations must be respected. Nevertheless, ordinary pilgrims should not suffer. A separate entrance would be provided for constitutional authorities and those requiring special security. The categories entitled to use that entrance would be publicly displayed. Everyone else, however eminent, should patiently join the queue.

Technology can eliminate unnecessary waiting. A queue management system would enable devotees to know precisely when to report for darshan. Tirupati has such a system which can be improved upon.

If the Trust is brought within the ambit of the Right to Information Act, I would welcome it. If not, I would still favour voluntary transparency. Honest institutions have nothing to hide.

Finally, I seek neither fame nor power. My ambition is to help make Ayodhya not only the foremost centre of pilgrimage but also a global centre of Hindu philosophy, scholarship and public service. The temple has sufficient resources to undertake these initiatives.

These, Swamiji, are some of the ideas I place before you. If you appoint me, I shall strive to implement them with sincerity. I would also be happy if any future CEO adopts a few of these suggestions for the greater glory of Lord Ram.

Yours faithfully,

A.J. Philip

A longer version of this application first appeared in Indian Currents

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