Deoria, Uttar Pradesh – A major controversy has gripped Deoria district as Mahant Rajesh Narayan Das, the chief priest of a prominent Hanuman temple, accused Uttar Pradesh Minister of State Vijay Lakshmi Gautam of illegally encroaching on temple land. The dispute took a dramatic turn on August 19, 2025, when the district administration intervened, measuring the disputed land and sealing the gate leading to the temple premises, intensifying tensions.
The priest staged a bold protest by lying on the road outside the Sadar tehsil, alleging that the minister used a forged sale deed to seize the temple’s property. He demanded Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s intervention to probe the alleged land grab. Following the land measurement, the administration sealed the gate opening toward the disputed area, citing irregularities.
The situation escalated when supporters of Minister Gautam, including her son and nephew, along with members of Sangh-affiliated groups, created a ruckus. They blocked the Joint Magistrate’s vehicle by parking their cars in front, forcing officials to leave the scene on foot. The temple premises turned into a police stronghold as authorities worked to maintain order.
The priest claims the land behind the temple was unlawfully taken, with a boundary wall and gate recently built. Minister Gautam denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated and asserting that revenue surveys found no encroachment. The district administration has tasked the Sub-Divisional Magistrate with investigating the sale deed and land records to resolve the dispute.
The incident has sparked outrage among locals and devotees, who are demanding justice and protection for temple properties. Social media is abuzz with videos of the protest, amplifying calls for transparency. The controversy highlights ongoing issues of temple land encroachments in Uttar Pradesh, raising questions about political influence and accountability. As the investigation continues, the sealed gate and blocked vehicles underscore the heated standoff, with the public awaiting a resolution to this high-stakes dispute.
