LUCKNOW: A veteran Sangh pracharak and VHP functionary, Gopal Nagarakatte (aka Gopal Rai) has been in the limelight lately for all the wrong reasons. As in-charge of the construction work in the Ram temple complex for the past five years, Gopal’s role in the Temple Trust is being questioned by some permanent trustees ahead of Trust’s July 6 meeting.Backed by RSS, Gopal was inducted into the Trust as a bridge between north and south India. Hailing from north Karnataka region, 64-year-old Gopal has an eye for details as well as exceptional organisational skills.Having been associated with RSS from an early age, he became the north Karnataka region’s prant pracharak in his early 40s.If there is a man in Ayodhya who achieves his fitness goals daily, it is Gopal, said a source associated with the temple’s working. He covers more than 20-25km distance on a regular basis, tours the 70-acre-wide temple complex extensively in a day.A physics postgraduate, Gopal makes multiple rounds to ensure masons, artisans and workers deputed at the site work.Things started taking a turn from the time Gopal’s close confidante from Karnataka, who was deputed to process the VIP passes at the pilgrim facilitation centre, was removed from the post after some issues against this youth surfaced much before the donation theft controversy arose, and the youth was shifted to a different role.An invitee member, Gopal is in charge of the construction work that takes place in the Ram temple. And Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and Gopal are the only three individuals who have the authority to issue aarti and VIP passes.With time, his clout as well as involvement in the temple’s daily affairs kept growing.As the scale started tilting more towards Gopal, apprehensions among other members started growing. Then came a time period when lobbying for a vacant position started intensifying.Kameshwar Chaupal, a Trust member (SC), passed away on Feb 7 last year. It was time to look for his replacement, and Gopal was among the frontrunners.But at the last moment, Krishna Mohan, a native of Hardoi from the same community as Chaupal , was brought on board. The 73-year-old former Indian Forest Service officer, who was posted in Maharashtra, joined as a permanent trustee on Sept 9 last year.Once the controversy subsides, the Teerth Kshetra could launch another hunt to replace Vimlendra Mohan Mishra (Raja Ayodhya), another Trust member who died in Aug last year.Sources said another key Trust member and Nirmohi Akhara chief Mahant Dinendra Das became upset with Gopal for allegedly trying to overshadow him during prominent festivals and celebrations organised at the Ram temple.When TOI contacted Gopal over phone on Friday to seek his response he said he would get back but did not respond later.In some positive developments from the time Gopal became involved in the temple affairs, participation of south Indian artists has gone up in the cultural events.Acting as a bridge, Gopal has also been credited with conceptualising the elements around Brihaspati Kund, a waterbody developed recently with a budget of about Rs 4.50 crore close to Tedhibazar police barrier.It was Gopal’s idea to set up sculptures dedicated to Purandara Dasa (grandfather of Carnatic music), Thyagaraja Swamigal (devotional songs in praise of Ram in Telugu) and Arunachala Kavi (Tamil poet).The pond has been set up as a key attraction for Ram devotees from southern states.With his stint at the Ram temple progressing smoothly, it would be clear within a few days whether Gopal would continue with his strenuous walk in or outside the temple premises.
