Modi government faces backlash over ex-Air Marshal's Ram Mandir Trust appointment

ISLAMABAD: The appointment of retired Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra as the first full-time chief executive officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has triggered widespread criticism from opposition political parties in India, with Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Indian Union Muslim League questioning the government's decision.

The appointment comes at a time when the Ram Mandir Trust's donations and financial affairs are already the subject of political controversy. The central question raised by critics is why a retired Air Force officer was chosen to manage a religious institution.

Mishra, a former Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force's Western Air Command who also held a key position during "Operation Sindoor" in May 2025, was appointed to the post in early September 2026. 

Opposition leaders questioned why a retired military officer was chosen to head a religious trust, and have linked the appointment to broader allegations of financial irregularities surrounding Ram Mandir donations.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi called the appointment questionable, asking what connection a retired Air Chief had with the Ram Mandir Trust. 

He said the appointment also raised questions in people's minds regarding "Operation Sindoor," saying: "I wonder whether there is some hidden truth behind 'Operation Sindoor' that led to his appointment as CEO here?" 

Speaking to media, Alvi also raised questions over allegations of theft of donations and financial irregularities at the Ram Mandir.

“To this day, the identities of those who committed the robbery at the Ram Mandir have not been revealed, nor have all the culprits been arrested,” he added.

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel described the appointment as a sign of distrust toward BJP, RSS and VHP workers. 

Speaking to media, he argued that appointing a retired military officer to oversee temple donations and administration indicated that the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi no longer trusted their own BJP, RSS and VHP workers.

“When exam papers get leaked, they are sent via the Army; the government does not trust its own officers and employees. Secondly, a retired Army officer has been appointed CEO to manage the accounts of the offerings and oversee the Ram Mandir. This implies that the government and PM Modi no longer trust people from the BJP, RSS, and VHP because they were caught red-handed stealing,” he said.

Congress leader Imran Masood said temple affairs should be handled by sadhus and saints rather than an Air Marshal. 

He sarcastically questioned why a person who had spent his career flying aircraft had now been brought into matters associated with the RSS. 

“Now that the RSS sees money involved in the Ram Temple project, they are eyeing it greedily,” he said. 

Indian Union Muslim League Member of Parliament Haris Beeran also questioned the appointment of a retired Air Force officer as CEO. 

“A retired Air Force man being appointed itself is a questionable thing because the Govt has their own people everywhere — whether it is in bureaucracy or in armed forces or in judiciary,” he said.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and his party also criticised the BJP over the appointment and the controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in Ram Mandir Trust donations. 

The questions raised by the SP chief have expanded the controversy beyond an administrative appointment, linking it to the management of religious institutions, donations and the political role of the BJP.