The Supreme Court (SC) has proposed the formation of a committee to manage the Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Mathura, until the Allahabad High Court decides on the validity of the Uttar Pradesh government's ordinance regarding the temple's management. This proposal was put forth on Monday, August 4, 2025, during a hearing where the court questioned the Uttar Pradesh government's "tearing hurry" in enacting the Shri Bankey Bihari Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, which aims to establish a trust to oversee the temple's administration.
The proposed committee would be headed by a retired High Court judge or a senior retired district judge. It would also include the District Collector and other government officials. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) may also be associated with the panel for the holistic development of the region. The court has assured that the temple rituals will continue as before, in accordance with the Haridasi Sampraday tradition.
The Supreme Court's intervention comes in response to petitions challenging both the May 15 order that allowed the government to use temple funds for a corridor development project and the subsequent ordinance. Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, representing the former management of the Banke Bihari Temple, argued that the ordinance effectively ousts the Goswamis, who have traditionally managed the temple. He also raised concerns about the lack of consultation with the temple management regarding the May 15 order. Advocate Sankalp Goswami also contended that the ordinance constitutes an unlawful interference in religious matters and undermines the denomination's autonomy.
The Supreme Court has expressed disapproval of the manner in which the Uttar Pradesh government secured permission to use temple funds for the corridor development project, describing it as "clandestine". Justice Surya Kant questioned the state's "tearing hurry" in enacting the ordinance. The court also raised concerns about the fact that the parties currently managing the temple were not involved in the hearing that led to the May 15 order.
The Uttar Pradesh government defended its actions by arguing that the Banke Bihari Temple is a public temple and that those challenging the ordinance lack standing as they are not part of the management. However, the court maintained that the state should have informed all parties involved in fairness.
The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing on the petitions until Tuesday, August 5, and has indicated that it will send the parties back to the High Court to challenge the ordinance. In the meantime, the temple management will remain under the committee headed by a retired judge, and the family will continue to perform the temple rituals as usual.
The court also urged mediation in the matter, invoking the example of Lord Krishna as the first mediator. The court has asked the petitioners to submit suggestions on how the temple affairs should be managed during the interim period.
