Banke Bihari priests say no prasad for BJP leaders, officials

Time of India

3 days ago

Agra: Priests of Vrindavan's Banke Bihari temple announced on Monday that they will no longer offer ceremonial scarves or prasad to BJP leaders and local officials during darshan.
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This comes after over 50 days of protests against the proposed Banke Bihari Corridor.
Gyanendra Kishor Goswami, a member of the temple's management, said the latest decision came after local women protesting the project were "manhandled" by police during UP power and urban development minister A K Sharma's visit on Saturday.
"We have no choice but to protect Bihari ji from a govt trying to turn our spiritual shrine into a picnic spot.
We've been protesting peacefully, in the spirit of Gandhiji, without disturbing law and order," said Goswami. "On Saturday, the women came to submit a memorandum against the corridor, but police pushed and manhandled them, refusing to let them meet the minister. We do not want such 'VIPs' here. That's why the priests decided not to honour ruling party leaders or officials with ceremonial scarves.
" He clarified that darshan would remain open to all.
Goswami also noted that a review petition on the corridor project is still pending before the Supreme Court, even as local authorities continue land surveys. "What's the hurry? They only know how to demolish buildings, not how to find solutions acceptable to all sections of Vrindavan," he said.
Established in 1862, the Shri Banke Bihari temple, managed by hereditary Shebaits, is among India's most visited pilgrimage sites.
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The redevelopment project, modelled on the Kashi Vishwanath corridor, is estimated to cost Rs 500 crore and involves acquiring nearly five acres around the shrine. SC has allowed land purchases using the temple's fixed deposits, on the condition that ownership remains with the deity or a newly formed trust.
The corridor is expected to displace around 275 families, including 200 shopkeepers. Flats in Rukmini Vihar and Sunrakh Bangar have been earmarked for rehabilitation, and officials have promised compensation and alternative shop spaces.
The redevelopment gained momentum after a stampede-like incident during Janmashtami in 2022 left two devotees dead. In Sept 2023, the Allahabad high court directed the state to implement a corridor plan to improve crowd safety and access.