Mathura
The Supreme Court has imposed a temporary stay on the ordinance of the Uttar Pradesh government, 2025, under which the government was management of the Shri Banke Bihari temple in Mathura-Vrindavan in its hands. A bench of Justice Suryakant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said that the matter will now be transferred to the Allahabad High Court to decide the validity of the ordinance.
Committee formed for monitoring
Until the legal validity of the ordinance is fixed, a committee headed by a retired judge of the High Court will monitor the matters of the temple. This committee will include District Collector, State Government officials and representatives of Haridasi sect. This decision was taken so that the smooth operation of the temple could be ensured and the rights of any party are not violated.
Corridor development and funds
The Supreme Court has also withdrawn its May 15’s decision, allowing the state government to use temple funds for the corridor development project. During the last hearing, the bench had strongly objected to the “secret way” by the state government seeking permission for the use of the temple funds. The main arguments of the petitioners: Several petitions have been filed in the case, which has challenged the UP government ordinance. The petitioners have argued that
This ordinance is the government’s unfair intervention in religious affairs, affecting the autonomy of temple management.
The government has not given any concrete and strong reason to take the temple administration under its control.
The petition filed by advocate Sankalp Goswami stated that the ordinance violates the right to handle his religious affairs of the Haridasi/Sakhi community himself.
The petitioners also believe that this ordinance is trying to change religious customs and traditions, which can offend the deity and threaten the existence of the entire community. The temple has been traditionally under private management since 1939. The Supreme Court will soon upload a detailed order on the matter.
