Latest news with #Goswamis
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Keeping up with UP: Tread carefully on Banke Bihari temple corridor in Vrindavan
In the months before Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in (KVC) Varanasi in March, 2019, the state government had fought court cases and simultaneously held conciliatory talks with the affected parties who were against the project. The ambitious Banke Bihari temple corridor (BBTC) project in Vrindavan town of Mathura district in western UP will connect the ancient temple with the Yamuna river. (AFP) Seven major high-level meetings were held between the state government officials and the aggrieved shopkeepers, house owners and others. The contentious issues were several including the city losing its rich heritage and the compensation paid to them. Within three years, Modi inaugurated the KVC on December 13, historic Kashi Vishwanath Temple was connected to the Ganga through four pathways. It was Modi's dream project. Now, the government is rolling out yet another ambitious project – the Banke Bihari temple corridor (BBTC) in Vrindavan town of Mathura district in western UP, connecting the ancient temple with the Yamuna river. The idea was mooted in the first tenure of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who is now hopeful of completing it in his second term, provided there is either an amicable settlement or legal validation. The Sevayat Goswamis, the serving priests in the ancient temple, have moved the Supreme Court. The petitioner, Devendra Nath Goswami, informed the court that he was the lineal descendent of the Banke Bihari temple's founder Swami Hari Das Goswami and that his family has managed the affairs of the temple for 500 years. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing on his behalf, has submitted that 'a fund of ₹ 300 crore has been given to the Uttar Pradesh government without making us, the Goswamis, the party'. He also argued that the Supreme Court had, in its May 15 verdict, allowed the UP government to use the temple fund without making the Goswamis a party. The Supreme Court, on May 15, 2025, had allowed the UP government to use ₹ 500 crore from the temple fund to acquire 5 acres of land with the direction that the registration of the land would be done in the name of the deity/temple trust. The counsel for the state government had then informed the apex court that the state has formed a trust to manage the temple and oversee work on the proposed corridor. The issue is listed for hearing in July-end. TALKS ON The government has, meanwhile, stepped up discussions with the affected parties to resolve the tangle. Advisor to the chief minister, Awanish Kumar Awasthi, who was also involved in Kashi dialogues, visited Vrindavan on June 6 and met the stakeholders. While the state government claims that their aim was to improve the movement and safety of pilgrims, locals, specially the Goswamis, doubt the very intent of the government, which they fear, is to take control of the temple. Apparently, the Goswamis' opposition is more to the Uttar Pradesh Shri Banke Bihari Ji Mandir Nyas ordinance, promulgated on May 26, 2025, barely 11 days after the Supreme Court order. The trust, with 18 members (11 nominated, seven ex officio) and two from the temple's traditional Goswami priests would ensure that the religious rituals, practices, festivals and puja at Banke Bihari temple continue without any interference or changes. It will also oversee the appointment of priests, ensure security of the devotees and supervise work on the proposed corridor. As of now, the Goswamis are the custodians of the temple and its funds. Mahesh Pathak, chairman of Akhil Bharat Teerth Purohit Mahaparishad, said: 'We will never allow the government to acquire the temple and (are) reminded how the chief minister, as an MP, had opposed its acquisition in Parliament.' He said they were in talks with the representatives of the government on a very regular basis and have offered solutions for an amicable settlement. 'The government can hand over suitable land to us to construct a sprawling temple where we would shift the deity. This would also save the shops and the houses from demolition while retaining the historical culture of kunj gallis.' Pathak said the CM himself has been to Vrindavan several times and is aware of its geography. 'How would the devotees pay their obeisance to deity during construction activity. Will they close the temple for three years?' Questioning the formation of another trust when the Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad already existed, he asked, 'Why do they need a new trust and why do they want a majority in its membership? All this creates doubts about the intentions of the government. The 11-member trust (excluding ex officio members) should have six members from the Goswamis.' Rajat Goswami, former vice-president of the now defunct temple committee, questioned the fast-pace with which the government acted after the Supreme Court clearance. 'What was the urgency? The apex court order came on May 15 and the ordinance was promulgated on May 26 last. SC is hearing our petition on July 27. They could have waited till then,' Rajat said. 'We are certainly opposed to using Thakurji's money for the acquisition of land. The government wants to take over management of all the 157 temples of Braj, besides the seven prominent devalayas along the Yamuna banks. The issue is also about Vrindavan's spiritual and cultural heritage which draws huge crowds from across the world – 50,000 on a daily basis which increases up to nine lakhs on auspicious days.' Government officials, however, are confident of reaching a settlement and mentioned that talks had helped in Kashi. 'We would rehabilitate all affected residents and shopkeepers,' an official, who asked not to be named, said. According to him, the public and the pilgrims were in favour of the corridor, the Goswamis and some shopkeepers were protesting. 'They all agree that in the long run, everyone will benefit.' But a handful of people cannot stop us from bringing back the splendour of Vrindavan and (ensure) the safety of pilgrims, he added. How it started On August 20, 2022, two devotees died of suffocation in the temple premises. Janmashtami celebrations were on and the crowds were huge. Goswami, quoted earlier, claimed the management of the crowds was entrusted to the administration and not them. Soon after the stampede, the minister for sugarcane development and sugar industry Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary announced construction of a dedicated corridor for smooth flow of devotees to the Banke Bihari temple. He promised to retain the ancient structure but expand the open space to accommodate about 5000 devotees as against 800 at any hour. A local activist from Mathura Anant Sharma filed a PIL in the Allahabad High Court, which asked the state government to submit a development plan for the temple on December 20, 2022. In November 2023, the high court allowed the BBTC. The government went into overdrive. It constituted a committee to conduct a survey that December, followed by red-ink marking on 322 constructions around the temple for demolition by January 2023. Protests started on the streets while the Goswamis and the priests of the temple filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court. On May 15, 2025, the Supreme Court allowed the state government to use ₹ 500 crore from the temple's fund to acquire the proposed five acres of land around the temple. Within days, the state cabinet approved setting up a Banke Bihariji Mandir Nyas Trust and governor Anandiben Patel cleared the ordinance, paving the way for the formation of the 18-member trust.
New Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Mathura district administration offers luxury flats to temple priests amid corridor project opposition
LUCKNOW: As the survey of residences and shops in the 22 Kunj Galis (narrow lanes) leading to the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan continues, 30 per cent of it already completed, the Mathura district administration has prepared an elaborate plan to rehabilitate the sevayats, the Goswamis, who have been openly opposing the Banke Bihari Corridor project. The plan includes relocating the sevayats to Rukmani Vihar in Vrindavan. The Goswami community, comprising hereditary priests, has been performing religious and priestly duties at the Banke Bihari temple for centuries. The Supreme Court recently gave the green light to the Banke Bihari Corridor, an ambitious initiative aimed at easing crowd congestion and enhancing the overall pilgrimage experience around the revered shrine. Following this, the state government brought in an ordinance to create a Trust to run the temple and oversee the development of the proposed corridor. After a visit by Awanish Kumar Awasthi, the special advisor to the Chief Minister, to Vrindavan on June 6, the project gained momentum. The Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority (MVDA) is working on a two-pronged strategy: first, conducting a survey of Kunj Galis comprising 286 houses and shops, and second, accelerating the rehabilitation of residents from 188 houses to new luxury flats at Rukmani Vihar and Sunrakh Bangar. The administration hopes that offering better accommodation will help pacify the sevayats.
Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Banke Bihari Corridor plan: UP CM's advisor holds discussions in Vrindavan, seeks consensus
Seeking a consensus on the proposed Banke Bihari Corridor project, Awanish Kumar Awasthi, advisor to the chief minister, held meetings with local residents, traders and Goswamis (priests) in Vrindavan on Friday. The Goswamis (priests) from the Banke Bihari Temple have been vocal in opposing the Banke Bihari Corridor plan. 'It was a constructive discussion that we had with all, including locals and traders, and separately with Goswamis. They openly placed their viewpoint. We communicated that the state government was here to ensure development of the area and ensure better facilities for devotees coming to have darshan at the Banke Bihari Temple,' Awasthi said after the discussions. While a section of traders and residents voiced concerns about the plan, they were assured a patient hearing by Awasthi after the first round of discussions though, at one stage, some of them appeared to be on the brink of a boycott but returned for the talks. Agra divisional commissioner Shailendra Kumar Singh, deputy inspector general (Agra range) Shailesh Pandey, Mathura district magistrate CP Singh, Mathura senior superintendent of police Shlok Kumar and others were present in the meeting with the residents and traders held at the Tourist Facilitation Centre (TFC). 'Large-scale development has taken place statewide in places of religious tourism. The state government wants Vrindavan to be a developed place with an opportunity for devotees to have a smooth 'darshan' at Banke Bihari temple. Locals, residents and traders have openly given suggestions. We are open to suggestions as we aim at a consensus in bringing up the Banke Bihari Corridor,' Awasthi said. He held a separate meeting with Goswamis at a location near the temple and was scheduled to have another meeting late on Friday evening. Opposing the corridor plan, Rajat Goswami of the Goswami community at the temple told HT they were against the ordinance bought to create a trust to run the temple and oversee the proposed Banke Bihari Corridor. Govind Khandelwal, a trader leader who attended the meeting with Awasthi, said 'We are against the map on which the Banke Bihari Corridor is based and have better alternatives. It is not a matter of compensation or money but what we want is that the heritage value of Vrindavan should remain unchanged.' Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai visited the Bankey Bihari temple on Thursday and assured the Goswami community of full support against the proposed project. 'The state government has a covetous eye on Banke Bihari temple and plans to have control over it and thus is bringing up such plans like the corridor,' said Ajay Rai who met women from Goswami family on Thursday evening. Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak also offered prayers at the Banke Bihari Temple on Thursday and assured that a consensus will be reached. On May 15, the Supreme Court paved the way for a state government scheme to develop the Banke Bihari Corridor for the benefit of devotees. The apex court also allowed the state government to use temple funds to purchase five-acre land for the corridor. The state government on May 27 constituted a Trust to manage the Banke Bihari temple and oversee the work of the proposed corridor.
Hindustan Times
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Hema Malini urges a rethink by those opposing Banke Bihari temple corridor, says project good for all
Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Mathura Hema Malini has welcomed the Supreme Court decision allowing construction of the Banke Bihari Corridor at Vrindavan. The actor-politician has urged all those opposing the corridor, specially the Goswamis (priests at the temple), to rethink because the project is good for all. She urged áll the stakeholders to 'let Banke Bihari Corridor happen', saying it is a rare opportunity to ensure proper arrangements for devotees. 'I, despite having all the security, felt like avoiding 'darshan' at Banke Bihari temple. Such is the sorry state of affairs at present. For a common devotee, it is no less than a 'battleground' in the temple premises where they are pushed, pulled and often crushed due to huge crowd pressure. The solution to this is the Banke Bihari Corridor. Fortunately, the Supreme Court has given the green signal to it. We all should let it come up,' she said. 'We will talk to Goswamis, the priests engaged in prayers at Banke Bihari temple, and will understand the issues they have. We also want to assure the local residents around the temple that all will be compensated adequately if their land is acquired. Even those on rent or having shops or other establishments will be compensated,' Hema Malini said. She recollected an incident in which her hair dresser from Maharashtra returned weeping after her hair had been pulled due to crowd pressure in the temple premises. 'For a visit to a temple, we need peace and the smooth movement of devotees, which will be ensured only when the corridor comes up. We want to know what problems the Goswamis have with the corridor, which will allow the smooth movement of devotees, proper parking facilities, footwear spaces,' the MP said. 'Devotees understand that things will improve with the corridor becoming a reality. But there are those misled by opportunists who have no concern for the common man and are driven by politics of opposition,' she said. Hema Malini noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done 'wonderful work' at religious spots in his 11-year tenure and chief minister Yogi Adityanath will not allow injustice to anyone in the name of the corridor. On May 15, the Supreme Court paved the way for a state government scheme to develop the Banke Bihari Corridor for the benefit of devotees. The apex court also allowed the state government to use temple funds to purchase five-acre land for the corridor. The state government on May 27 constituted a Trust to manage the Banke Bihari temple and oversee the work of the proposed corridor. During a hearing in the Supreme Court on May 28, senior advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for one of the Goswamis at the Banke Bihari temple, submitting that a fund of ₹300 crore has been given to the Uttar Pradesh government without making the Goswamis at the Banke Bihari temple a party. The Supreme Court has fixed July 29 for the next hearing.
Hans India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Vrindavan corridor necessary to handle huge crowd, will benefit all: Hema Malini
Mathura: Veteran actress and three-time Mathura MP Hema Malini on Tuesday appealed to the Vrindavan's Goswamis to let the corridor development work kick off, as in the current state, the temple does not have enough space to accommodate the number of devotees reaching there. In an exclusive interaction with IANS, Hema Malini said the Rs 500 crore Banke Bihari temple corridor in Vrindavan should come up, as "it's now or never". Allaying fears of the shopkeepers, property owners, and people on rent who fear huge losses during the corridor redevelopment, Hema Malini said that the Yogi Adityanath government has already promised that those losing their property and even those who do not have papers will get compensation, and those losing their shops will get a new shop in the developed corridor. She pointed out that if it is not built, the situation will worsen beyond imagination. On the Goswamis opposing the project, she said: "They should understand. They should have made some proper arrangements to manage the crowd. Around 5,000 people are being let into a place that can accommodate 50 people. There are so many tragedies happening. It's not a way to visit a temple. It seems like approaching a battlefield." Due to the huge crowd, many people return as they are unable to have darshan of the deity, she further said. Hema Malini gave assurance that if any problem arises, she will look into it. Appealing to the goswamis to let that work for the corridor begin, she said: "Abhi nahi, toh kabhi nahi (If it is not be done now, it will never happen). Besides, she also pointed out that the Vrindavan bypass project, estimated to cost crores of rupees, has been passed, and soon its work will begin. Using that bypass, devotees would not have to enter the main city, thus solving the concerns of locals, who face difficulties and cannot come out of their homes due to a sea of devotees. The Goswamis are opposing the Vrindavan corridor and threatening to relocate the Banke Bihari deity to another location. They allege that the government wants to turn the place of faith into a picnic spot. On May 15, the Supreme Court allowed the Uttar Pradesh government to go ahead with the Vrindavan corridor project.
