Supreme Court Hears Challenge to UP Government Ordinance in Banke Bihari Temple Dispute. The Court advised forming a committee for mediation and scheduled the next hearing for August 5th.
SC: The Supreme Court has made an important comment on the management dispute of the famous Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan. Hearing the matter on Monday, the Court directed the formation of a committee headed by a retired judge to resolve this issue. The court also advised the government and petitioners to adopt the path of mediation. The court stated that Lord Krishna himself was the first mediator, so efforts should be made to resolve this matter through dialogue.
Dispute over Ordinance 2025
The case is related to an ordinance brought by the Uttar Pradesh government in 2025, under which the management of the Banke Bihari Temple has been handed over to a trust. The petitioners allege that the government wants to establish control over the temple through this. They argue that this ordinance affects the independence of the temple and also trifles with religious sentiments.
Objections of the Petitioners
Several petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court in this matter, claiming that the Banke Bihari Temple is an ancient religious site and its upkeep has been done through priests and local management for centuries. The petitioners also state that this ordinance of the government interferes with the traditional form and autonomy of the temple.
Supreme Court's Comments and Questions
During the hearing, the bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, raised several important questions. The Court said that, first of all, the constitutional validity of this ordinance should be examined by the Allahabad High Court. In addition, the Court also asked why this ordinance was brought in such a hurry. The Court clarified to the state government that consultation with all parties is necessary before any decision in sensitive matters like temple management.
Court's Reprimand and Suggestion for Resolution
The Court reprimanded both the government and the temple trust, saying that instead of making the dispute public and getting entangled in a legal battle, they should try to resolve it through mutual agreement. The Court said that disputes related to religious institutions should be avoided from being brought to the courts and a solution should be found through dialogue first. In this direction, a direction has been given to form an independent committee which will listen to all parties and submit a report.
Next Hearing on August 5th
The Supreme Court has fixed August 5 as the date for the next hearing of the case. During this time, the primary report of the committee will be presented before the court. The Court expressed hope that with the help of the committee, both parties will be able to reach a conclusion. The Court also made it clear that if the report of the committee does not lead to a solution, then it will conduct a detailed hearing in this matter itself.
What is the Objective of Ordinance 2025?
The Uttar Pradesh government brought the new ordinance for the Banke Bihari Temple, saying that the number of devotees visiting the temple is continuously increasing and the current management system is not able to handle this increasing pressure. The government claims that the management of the temple can be made more transparent and organized through the trust. The government has also proposed expansion of facilities in the temple complex and plans like the "Banke Bihari Corridor".
