New Delhi, August 5, 2025 – The Supreme Court on Monday grilled the Uttar Pradesh government over its rush to pass the Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, which hands control of the historic Bankey Bihari Temple in Vrindavan to a state-run trust. Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi called the move “clandestine” and questioned why the state acted so quickly without consulting key stakeholders, like the temple’s traditional management.
The ordinance, passed on May 26, allows a government-appointed trust to manage the temple’s affairs, including its funds, sidelining the Goswami community, who have overseen the temple for over 500 years under a 1939 court decree. The court also raised concerns about a May 15 ruling that allowed the state to use temple funds to buy five acres for a corridor project, noting that the temple’s management wasn’t heard in that decision. “What was the hurry? Why not follow the law?” Justice Kant asked, suggesting the state could have used public funds instead.
The temple, a key pilgrimage site drawing up to five lakh devotees during festivals, is at the heart of a legal battle. The management committee, backed by senior advocate Shyam Divan, argued the ordinance violates their right to manage religious affairs under Article 26 of the Constitution. They called it an overreach, as the temple is private, not state-owned. The state, represented by Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, claimed the temple is public and lacks a clear management structure.
The court proposed an interim committee led by a retired judge to oversee the temple until the Allahabad High Court rules on the ordinance’s validity. “Lord Krishna was the first mediator. Try to mediate this,” Justice Kant said, urging both sides to find common ground. The hearing continues today, August 5, with the state asked to respond to the committee idea.
