Banke Bihari temple panel opposes corridor clearance, SC to hear plea | Agra News

AGRA: Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition challenging its May 15 verdict that allowed Uttar Pradesh government to go ahead with a Rs 500 crore redevelopment plan for the Shri Banke Bihari temple corridor in Vrindavan.The review petition, filed by a member of the temple management, said the decision was made without consulting stakeholders and risked damaging the temple’s sacred character.Devendra Nath Goswami, a senior temple administrator, filed the petition on May 19. An SC bench of chief justice B R Gavai and justice Augustine George Masih took up the matter on May 20. They said, “We will list it,” indicating that the case will be heard in detail. Senior advocate Ashutosh Jha appeared for Goswami.The Banke Bihari temple, built in 1862 in the heart of Vrindavan, is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in northern India. It is managed by Shebaits, a hereditary priesthood that oversees daily rituals and temple administration.Goswami told the court that he was not given a chance to be heard before SC passed its May 15 ruling. “I was not even informed, let alone consulted,” he said. “This is a violation of the religious and administrative traditions that have guided this temple for centuries.” Goswami said he belonged to the Raj Bhog branch of the Shebaits and claimed direct descent from Swami Sri Hari Das Ji Goswami, the temple’s 16th-century founder.“My family has been looking after this temple for more than 500 years,” he said.The redevelopment plan, approved by a bench of Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice S C Sharma, allows the state to use temple funds to acquire around five acres of land near the shrine. This land is to be registered in the name of the temple trust or deity and used for public amenities such as parking, toilets, accommodation and security posts. Uttar Pradesh government said the project was necessary to reduce congestion and improve infrastructure for pilgrims.The petition, however, asked SC to reconsider parts of the ruling that permitted the use of temple funds and allowed construction without stakeholder consent. Goswami requested a stay on activities such as land acquisition, demolition or new construction until a transparent process is ensured. “We are not against development, but it must respect the sanctity and character of the temple,” he said.The review plea called for the formation of a heritage and stakeholder consultation committee to oversee any future plans. Goswami said unchecked development could “irreversibly alter the religious and cultural fabric of the temple precinct”.The demand for redevelopment arose after a stampede-like incident occurred during Janmashtami celebrations in 2022, resulting in two deaths. In Sept 2023, Allahabad high court directed Uttar Pradesh government to develop a corridor plan to manage crowd pressure and ensure safety. While the state said it engaged with stakeholders, Shebaits and local residents claimed they were excluded from meaningful consultations.Following the May 15 order, several residents and heritage activists in Mathura expressed concerns that the corridor project could disrupt Vrindavan’s spiritual atmosphere and erode its historical architecture. TOI contacted Goswami for comment, but he declined, saying, “The matter is sub-judice before the court.”