The Supreme Court, on August 4, 2025, addressed a contentious dispute over the proposed redevelopment of a corridor at the historic Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, invoking Lord Krishna as the “first mediator” to urge resolution. The court expressed concerns over a Uttar Pradesh government ordinance that seeks to utilize Rs 500 crore of temple funds, questioning its constitutional validity and the state’s approach to temple management.
Lord Krishna’s Mediation Legacy and Proposed Committee
During the hearing, the bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi emphasized mediation, stating, “Lord Krishna was the first mediator… please try to mediate the matter.” The court proposed forming an interim committee, led by a former High Court or senior retired district judge, to manage the temple and oversee fund utilization for infrastructure improvements and pilgrim safety. This committee would operate while the Allahabad High Court examines the validity of the UP government’s ordinance. The court also suggested keeping its May 15 judgment, which permitted the use of temple funds, in abeyance, criticizing the “clandestine manner” in which the state secured approval.
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UP Government’s Ordinance Under Scrutiny
The Supreme Court questioned the UP government’s haste in passing the ordinance, which the former temple management claimed ousted the hereditary Shebait priesthood without a hearing. Justice Surya Kant remarked, “The matter before this Court did not pertain to the Banke Bihari temple. A public notice could have been issued… was there any court-appointed receiver? It was not a case of ‘no man’s land… Someone had to be heard on behalf of the temple.” The court also challenged the state’s failure to acquire land for the corridor through legal compensation, questioning why it intervened in a private dispute. Previously, in May, Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma had criticized the state for “hijacking” litigation, warning, “If states start entering into a private dispute between parties… there will be a total breakdown of law.”
The Banke Bihari Temple, built in 1862, is a revered pilgrimage site managed by Shebaits, who oversee its rituals. The corridor plan stems from a 2022 Janmashtami stampede that claimed two lives, prompting the Allahabad High Court’s 2023 directive for better crowd management. Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, representing the state, was given until 10:30 AM on August 5 to respond to the court’s proposal.
