Claim
Even if Champat Rai steps down as general secretary, he can remain a member of the trust, because under the rules the post and the membership are separate.
“अगर चंपत राय महासचिव के पद से हट भी जाते हैं तो भी वह ट्रस्ट के सदस्य बने रह सकते हैं... नियमों में पद और सदस्यता यह दोनों अलग-अलग हैं।”▶ Watch source segment
Rationale
Contemporaneous reporting on the June–July 2026 Ram Mandir donation controversy consistently distinguishes Champat Rai's office of general secretary from his membership of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Under the trust's deed/bylaws as described by multiple outlets, membership ends only through death, resignation of membership itself, legal disqualification, or removal by a two-thirds majority of trustees; resigning the general secretary post does not terminate membership. The anchor's statement that the post and membership are separate matches these rules, though the trust deed itself is not public, so confidence is moderate rather than absolute.
Evidence
- https://www.tv9hindi.com/india/ram-janmabhoomi-trust-controversy-all-questions-explainer-3836689.html TV9 explainer on the trust's rules: Champat Rai resigned only from the general secretary post; trust membership ends separately (death, resignation of membership, disqualification, conviction, or removal by two-thirds majority of trustees), so leaving the office does not by itself end membership. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://kiddaan.com/champat-rai-ram-mandir-trust-member-after-resignation/ Reports that under the trust's bylaws Champat Rai remains a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust even after resigning as general secretary. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.indiatvnews.com/uttar-pradesh/ram-mandir-donation-theft-case-temple-trust-accepts-champat-rai-s-resignation-issues-statement-2026-06-27-1046332 Confirms the trust received/accepted Champat Rai's resignation as general secretary amid the donation theft case, with further trustee meetings scheduled in July 2026 — consistent with the office being distinct from membership. ✓ reachable · archived