'Sacrificed His Life For Nation': Champat Rai's Brother Defends Him Amid Ram Temple Donation Row

The brother of Champat Rai, former general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, on Monday defended him amid allegations of embezzlement of donations linked to the Ram temple in Ayodhya. He said Rai had dedicated his entire life to the Ram temple movement and national service.

Speaking to PTI, Sunil Bansal said his brother had made major personal and professional sacrifices to work for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Ram temple cause. He said Rai had left his teaching career decades ago to fully commit himself to the organisation and its work.

Champat Rai previously worked as a teacher in Rohtak during 1970-71 before becoming a physics lecturer at RSM Degree College in Dhampur in 1972, Bansal told PTI, adding

that during the Emergency, police attempted to arrest him while he was teaching, but he later surrendered at the local police station, according to Bansal. Rai resigned from his teaching position in 1980-81 to devote himself fully to the RSS.

He said that Rai resigned from his teaching position in 1980-81 to devote himself fully to the RSS.

Bansal also rejected the allegations against Rai, calling them politically motivated. He said Rai had “given up everything” for the Ram temple movement and had always worked with full dedication and honesty.

Earlier today, the Faizabad Bar Association demanded that Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao — all associated with the management of the temple (but not mentioned as accused in the FIR) — “must leave” Ayodhya.

The lawyers warned that if the trio did not leave “within three days”, the entire city of Ayodhya would be blockaded and no one would be allowed to enter.

The Bar said it would seek registration of an FIR against Champat Rai, Gopal Rao and Anil Mishra under BNSS Section 156(3), which empowers a magistrate to order the police to investigate a cognizable offence if the police have not acted on a complaint.

(With inputs from PTI)