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Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Interim panel to oversee daily functioning of Mathura temple
The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday agreed to a Supreme Court proposal to set up an interim management committee to oversee the daily functioning of the Bankey Bihari temple in Mathura. The arrangement will remain in place while the legality of the state's ordinance to take over the temple's administration is decided by the Allahabad high court. The SC proposal had come from a bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi on Monday when the court expressed concern over the deadlock between the state and the current temple managing committee. (Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO) The proposal had come from a bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi on Monday when the court expressed concern over the deadlock between the state and the current temple managing committee. It suggested that a retired high court judge head the interim panel and sought suggestions from all stakeholders on the panel's composition. On Tuesday, the UP government, represented by additional solicitor general (ASG) KM Nataraj, submitted a formal response supporting the court's idea. The state said it had 'no objection' to the formation of such a committee and agreed that it should be allowed access to temple funds to begin work on a planned temple corridor. Drawing parallels with the Kashi Vishwanath Temple redevelopment, the state reiterated its commitment to providing financial support for the Bankey Bihari temple's development in partnership with the temple authorities. The state proposed an eight-member panel led by a retired high court judge who is a Sanatan Hindu from the Vaishnav sect. Other suggested members would include the Mathura civil judge, district collector, senior superintendent of police, municipal commissioner, vice-chairman of the Mathura-Vrindavan Development Authority, principal secretary (temple affairs), and a representative of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The bench reserved its final decision on the composition, even as it has given other parties, including the temple's managing committee and members of the Goswami community, until August 9 (when the matter will be heard next) to submit their views and suggest names for the retired judge. The background to the dispute is the UP government's ordinance 'Uttar Pradesh Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025' issued in May. The ordinance replaces the current temple management, primarily comprising the Goswami community, with an 18-member state-controlled trust, including 7 ex-officio government members. The Goswami sect claims it has managed the temple for over 500 years under a judicial decree from 1939 and sees the ordinance as a move to displace them. The ordinance and an earlier Supreme Court order allowing the use of temple funds for development are both under challenge by the temple committee. In court on Tuesday, ASG Nataraj defended the ordinance, saying it aimed to improve temple infrastructure and protect public safety. He said the government wanted to build a corridor around the temple to manage growing footfall, without infringing on the religious rights of devotees. The plan involves using about ₹200 crore from the temple's own funds and ₹5 crore from the state for land purchases and development, keeping ownership with the deity. The ordinance followed a November 2023 Allahabad high court order directing better facilities at the temple after a stampede in August 2022 during Janmashtami left two dead. The court had allowed development but restricted the use of temple funds for land purchase. The state later secured Supreme Court permission to use temple funds. The government says the temple, over 160 years old and occupying just 1,200 sq ft, is unable to safely handle the daily footfall of 40,000-50,000 devotees, which surges to over 500,000 during festivals. Meanwhile, the Goswami community continues to oppose the ordinance, calling it a violation of their customary rights and a backdoor attempt to seize control of temple assets. They have promised to submit names and suggestions for the interim committee at the next hearing.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
‘Yoga paves the way for welfare of the world and discipline of the body'
Bhopal: To observe International Yoga Day , the BJP organised yoga functions at the division and booth levels across the state. At the state party headquarters, the yoga function was headed by BJP national co-organisational general secretary Shivprakash, chief minister Mohan Yadav, BJP state president Vishnudutt Sharma, and state party organisational general secretary Hitanand Sharma. Office-bearers and party workers performed yoga in the early morning hours. Addressing the workers, Shivprakash said that yoga is not just a physical exercise, but an art of living. "Samatvam Yoga Uchyate" means that the essence of yoga is equanimity; to see every person and situation of the world with an equal perspective. This equanimity brings balance and stability in life. "Those with a liberal outlook consider the entire world as their family. This is the basic thought of Indian culture, to rise above conflict, exploitation, and war and move towards the welfare of all. Yoga paves the way for the welfare of the world along with the discipline of the body," the BJP national co-organisational general secretary said. CM Mohan Yadav said that yoga is such a divine state when consciousness and supreme consciousness meet. Every living being has the opportunity to achieve this state of mind. Yoga is an invaluable gift of Sanatan Hindu religion and culture to the entire humanity. "Due to the tireless efforts of PM Modi, UNGA declared June 21 as International Yoga Day," he said. "It also supported the fact that yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being along with establishing a balance between all aspects of life. He ushered in a new era of holistic health revolution across the world. Today, the entire global community is expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Modi. We are celebrating the 11th International Yoga Day. It is dedicated to the theme of Yoga for One Earth, One Health," Yadav said.
