'Sevayats' Object To Local Administration's Involvement In Mathura's Banke Bihari Temple Affairs: Allahabad HC Seeks UP Govt's Reply

For the uninitiated, Bankey Bihari Temple is situated in Vrindavan, Mathura and it is dedicated to Bankey Bihari who is believed to be the combined form of Radha and Krishna. This temple was established by Swami Haridas.

It may further be noted that the Goswamis of the Saraswat Brahmin community have the right to serve in Thakur Banke Bihari temple. They perform puja-archana and shringar in the temple and are called Sevayats. It is their specific plea that since the Banke Bihari Temple is a private temple, no external interference should be allowed.

The objections have been raised before the Allahabad High Court by the Sevayats after the UP Government submitted before the HC that it has proposed a scheme for the development of the temple area and its proper management. Advocate Sanjay Goswami appeared for the Sevayats.

The UP Government has also submitted before the Court that it is planning to build a corridor by acquiring five acres of land near the Banke Bihari temple (in Mathura) to provide facilities to the devotees. The state government has also proposed that a trust would be constituted having eleven nominated members, which include two from the Goswamis in addition to six ex-officio members and one appointed by the State.

Though the State Government has clarified that there would be no interference of any kind in the puja-archana or shringar carried out by the Goswamis and that whatever rights they have, they will continue to enjoy the same, the Sevayats have expressed their apprehension about the involvement of officers of local administration in the rights and policy regarding the other matters.

They also submitted that the fund lying in the account of the Deity in the Temple should not be utilized for the purchase of five acres of land around the Temple, as proposed by the State. It has also been submitted by the Sevayats that there are certain other ancient temples close to the Temple and such temples should also be part of the scheme, as a lot of devotees visit those temples also.

Taking into account these submissions, the bench of Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice J. J. Munir sought a reply from the State Government and adjourned the matter to November 17, 2022.

Case title - Anant Sharma and another v. State of U.P. and others

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