The selection is likely to be made at the Trust’s meeting scheduled for December 2.
Looking to professionalise its media outreach following the alleged donation theft controversy, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will now appoint both a spokesperson and a media in-charge for the Ram temple, revising its earlier plan of appointing only a spokesperson.
The spokesperson is expected to be a senior, articulate face authorised to speak on policy, religious and legal matters related to the temple, while the media in-charge will handle day-to-day coordination, press releases, accreditation and social media management.
The names of Sangh and Vishva Hindu Parishad-linked functionaries have been forwarded to the Trust for both posts and screening has begun, according to people familiar with the matter. The CEO’s concurrence will be crucial before names are placed before the Trust Board for final approval, according to people familiar with the matter. But with the 24×7 media cycle, social media misinformation and daily queries about darshan timings, construction, VIP visits, donations, we also need a full-time media in-charge on the ground in Ayodhya who can coordinate with the media, issue daily briefings and manage the press,” a Trust source said. “It should be someone who understands the maryada of the temple and also knows how the modern media works,” the source said.
“Earlier, there was a thought of having only a spokesperson who would be the face of the Trust on sensitive issues.
