Brittas Seeks RTI Cover For Ram Temple Trust
CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has urged the Centre to review its stand on keeping the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust outside the Right to Information Act, citing public accountability and transparency concerns.
Ram Janmabhoomi Trust RTI Demand
Brittas wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking a reconsideration of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ position that the Trust is not a public authority under the RTI Act.
He argued that the Trust could not be treated as fully outside public scrutiny when it was constituted through a government-approved scheme following the Supreme Court’s Ayodhya verdict. He also referred to land vested in the Trust under a parliamentary law and the presence of serving government officers in its governing structure.
John Brittas Cites Public Accountability
The CPI(M) leader said institutions that command large public faith and receive major public donations should follow high standards of transparency. His remarks come amid controversy over alleged irregularities involving donations linked to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Brittas said autonomy should not be used as a reason to deny transparency, especially when the Trust manages a religious institution of national importance and handles contributions from devotees in India and abroad.
Centre’s Stand On RTI Act
The Central Information Commission had earlier held that the Trust was not a public authority under the RTI Act. That decision relied significantly on the Home Ministry’s position that the Trust was not answerable to the central or Uttar Pradesh governments.
Brittas has asked the Centre to review that position in the interest of public accountability. The issue is likely to remain politically sensitive as questions continue over the Trust’s legal status, governance structure and public transparency obligations.
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Meta Description: CPI(M) MP John Brittas urges Centre to bring Ram Janmabhoomi Trust under RTI amid transparency and donation concerns.
Keywords: Ram Janmabhoomi Trust RTI, John Brittas Amit Shah, Ram temple donation row, Shri Ram Teerth Kshetra
