03-06-2025
Banke Bihari temple priests threaten to 'relocate Thakurji' over corridor redevelopment plan
AGRA: Priests of the centuries-old Banke Bihari temple in Mathura, who are opposed to the proposed 'redevelopment plan for the Banke Bihari corridor in Vrindavan', alleged on Monday, that if govt does not heed their concerns, they will relocate the Banke Bihari deity to another site.
The latest development came after a series of protests by the Goswami community members and locals against the proposed corridor and the creation of the Banke Bihari temple trust by the state govt.
Ghanshyam Goswami, 60, a member of the management committee, said, "The problem is that the govt wants to turn this place of faith into a picnic spot. The Banke Bihari Trust was formed without consulting us. We're open to suggestions for improving the management of the temple but if this situation continues, we'll not hesitate to move Thakurji out of the temple.
This temple was founded by our forefathers, and the customs and traditions here date back to the 19th century.
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The Supreme Court, in its May 15 verdict, permitted the UP govt to continue with the 'Rs 500 cr redevelopment plan for the Shri Banke Bihari temple corridor in Vrindavan'. The project, approved by the bench of Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice SC Sharma, enables the state to utilise temple funds to acquire about 5 acres of land near the shrine.
Calls for redevelopment intensified after a stampede-like incident took place during the Janmashtami celebrations in 2022, which resulted in two fatalities. In Sept 2023, Allahabad high court directed the state govt to implement a corridor plan to manage crowds and ensure safety. Although the state said it engaged with all stakeholders, Shebaits and local residents have claimed they were excluded from discussions.
On Monday, Agra's divisional commissioner Shailendra Kumar Singh, Mathura DM Chandra Prakesh Singh, Agra range DIG Shailesh Kumar Pandey and additional officials held a meeting with the stakeholders to seek a resolution.
Shailendra Kumar Singh said, "The proposed corridor has been cleared by the SC. The locals have raised some issues, and we have reached out to them. In the issues related to the temple, we ensured that no change will be there to the customs and traditions of the temple. Shopkeepers had doubts related to compensation, and we cleared them. The streets in and around the temple are narrow and unsuitable for the influx of people who visit the temple daily, so this corridor will be beneficial for all the stakeholders.
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