New Delhi, August 5 (H.S.): After a reprimand from the Supreme Court regarding the swift implementation of the ordinance on managing the Banke Bihari Temple, the Uttar Pradesh government asserted that the ordinance aims to enhance temple administration.

ASG K.M. Nataraj argued before the bench led by Justice Surya Kant that the ordinance does not relate to ongoing litigation about temple governance. He mentioned that two to three lakh visitors come to the temple weekly. The court noted that Nataraj's argument held merit only if the ordinance faced Supreme Court challenges.

On August 4, the Supreme Court criticized the government's expedited actions, particularly its unapproved use of temple funds and the failure to consult affected parties. The court highlighted that the government secretly sought approval on May 15 for using temple funds to develop a corridor, stressing that matters involving religious sites should consider stakeholder input.

In May, the Supreme Court conditionally approved the acquisition of five acres for the corridor project, contingent on the land being registered in the deity's name, indicating it might revoke this approval in subsequent hearings. The court insisted temple funds should serve pilgrims, not private interests, and deemed the ordinance governmental interference in religious matters.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing petitioner Devendra Nath Goswami, challenged the government’s authority in profiting from a private temple while the UP government announced the establishment of a trust for temple management.

The Supreme Court demanded notification copies regarding the trust's formation, as the UP government aimed to fund the corridor with over five hundred crores. The Allahabad High Court on November 8, 2023, rejected the government's use of temple funds but allowed access to fixed deposits for land acquisition, which the Supreme Court modified.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar