Allahabad HC Seeks State's Reply On Objections To Bankey Bihari Temple Trust Ordinance

News18

23-07-2025

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The objections were raised by amicus curiae Sanjay Goswami in a matter filed under Article 227 concerning the temple's administration
The Allahabad High Court on Monday took on record serious objections raised against the Uttar Pradesh government's move to constitute a trust for the management of the Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple in Mathura, and directed the State to respond.
The objections were raised by amicus curiae Sanjay Goswami in a matter filed under Article 227 concerning the temple's administration. The court was hearing a petition filed by Pranav Goswami and others.
Goswami challenged the constitutional validity of The Uttar Pradesh Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, particularly objecting to provisions that allow the inclusion of several government officials as ex-officio trustees. These include the District Magistrate, SSP Mathura, Municipal Commissioner, officials of the Dharmarth Karya Vibhag and the Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad.
He argued that the temple is a privately managed religious institution traditionally overseen by the successors of Swami Haridas Ji, and that the ordinance attempts to give the State administrative control over it through indirect means. The move, he said, amounted to a 'backdoor entry" by the State into religious affairs.
According to the amicus, while the government may regulate crowd management and ensure public safety, it cannot take over internal administration or interfere with religious practices of a temple that is not State-controlled. He also cautioned that such an ordinance, if not examined, may set a precedent for similar government actions across the State.
'The Constitution forbids such type of venture by the State Government encroaching upon the area of religion," he submitted, while referring to existing examples of temple control by State governments in other regions like Tamil Nadu.
The High Court observed that the matter required further consideration and directed the Uttar Pradesh government to respond to the objections raised. The case has been listed for further hearing on July 30.
It was also noted that a related matter is scheduled to be heard before the Supreme Court on July 29.
The case is being heard by Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal.
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