"Supreme Court Criticism Spurs Temple Management Ordinance in Uttar Pradesh for Enhanced Administration"
In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has put the Uttar Pradesh Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, on hold and temporarily suspended its operation. The court has referred the question of its constitutional validity to the Allahabad High Court for adjudication.
The ordinance, enacted for the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Mathura, has been a subject of contention due to its impact on the temple's traditional management. The temple, managed by hereditary trustees linked to Swami Hari Das Ji, is considered a private temple.
The Supreme Court bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi reserved its verdict on petitions challenging the ordinance and directed the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court to list the matter before a division bench.
In the interim, the court has constituted a high-level committee to manage the day-to-day affairs of the temple. The committee is chaired by a retired high court judge and includes local administrative officials as well as members of the Goswami community, who have traditionally managed the temple. The committee's primary task is to ensure smooth administration and continuity of temple rituals according to the traditional practices of the Haridasi denomination.
The court's decision to form this committee comes after concerns were raised about the state's approach in trying to appropriate temple funds for redevelopment projects. The Supreme Court indicated it would revisit and potentially overturn its prior decision permitting the use of temple funds for these purposes.
Before reaching the Supreme Court, the Allahabad High Court had already expressed serious doubts about the State Government's competence to promulgate the ordinance. An amicus curiae appointed by the High Court had questioned the State's authority over the temple management, leading to a call for the State's response, further framing the background of the constitutional challenge.
The court has also allowed the petitioners to give their suggestions on the issue, and the matter has been posted for August 8. The top court has also allowed an impleadment application filed by the Uttar Pradesh government on May 15.
The ordinance was issued with the aim of better administration for the temple, which receives two to three lakh devotees every week. The ordinance vests the control of the shrine's administration with the state. However, the court's decision to form an interim committee ensures that temple management remains in traditional and neutral hands while the legal challenge proceeds.
[1] The Indian Express, "SC puts on hold Uttar Pradesh's temple ordinance, forms committee to manage Vrindavan temple", August 4, 2025, https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/sc-puts-on-hold-uttar-pradesh-temple-ordinance-forms-committee-to-manage-vrindavan-temple-7956622/
[2] The Hindu, "SC stays Uttar Pradesh temple ordinance, forms committee to manage temple", August 4, 2025, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-stays-uttar-pradesh-temple-ordinance-forms-committee-to-manage-temple/article32258610.ece
[3] NDTV, "Uttar Pradesh Temple Ordinance: SC Constitutes Committee to Manage Banke Bihari Temple", August 4, 2025, https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-temple-ordinance-sc-constitutes-committee-to-manage-banke-bihari-temple-3153443
[4] Bar and Bench, "Allahabad High Court raises doubts about Uttar Pradesh's authority over Banke Bihari Temple", July 30, 2025, https://www.barandbench.com/news/allahabad-high-court-raises-doubts-about-uttar-pradesh-s-authority-over-banke-bihari-temple
[5] Live Law, "Uttar Pradesh Temple Ordinance: SC Constitutes Committee to Manage Banke Bihari Temple", August 4, 2025, https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/uttar-pradesh-temple-ordinance-sc-constitutes-committee-to-manage-banke-bihari-temple-176773
The Supreme Court's decision to form a committee to manage the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Mathura, has sparked discussions in the realm of business and general news, as questions about state intervention in temple affairs and the temple's traditional management come to light. The development also raises political implications, with the court indicating potential changes in the use of temple funds for redevelopment projects, a point of contention in the ongoing dispute.
