The Supreme Court is considering the formation of a committee headed by a retired High Court judge to manage the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, until the Allahabad High Court decides on the validity of the Uttar Pradesh government's ordinance regarding the temple's development and administration. This development follows concerns about the management of the temple, particularly after a stampede in 2022 that resulted in the deaths of pilgrims.

Background and Context The Uttar Pradesh government introduced the Shri Banke Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, which aimed to establish a government-appointed trust to oversee the temple's administration. This move was challenged by the temple management, the "sewa adhikari Goswamis," who are descendants of Swami Haridas's younger brother, Goswami Jagannath, who claimed hereditary control over the temple's management and rituals. They argued that the ordinance amounted to indirect state control over a private religious institution.

The Supreme Court has questioned the Uttar Pradesh government's "tearing hurry" in enacting the ordinance to take over the management of the Banke Bihari Temple. The court also raised concerns about the manner in which the state government sought permission to utilize temple funds for a corridor development project.

The Proposed Committee The Supreme Court proposed the idea of an interim committee to manage the temple's affairs until the Allahabad High Court decides on the validity of the ordinance. The proposed committee would be headed by a retired High Court judge and would oversee the day-to-day operations of the temple, including crowd management, safety, and infrastructural improvements. The court has suggested that the committee would also have access to temple funds to initiate work on the proposed corridor project.

The Uttar Pradesh government has expressed its openness to the formation of the committee, provided it is led by a retired judge of the Allahabad High Court. However, the state government has suggested that the retired judge should be a Sanatani Hindu belonging to the Vaishnav sect, to uphold the religious sentiments of devotees. The Supreme Court found this request unusual, remarking that it may be sufficient for the judge to simply belong to the same religion.

Suggested Committee Composition The state government has proposed that the committee include several key administrative and planning officials, such as: * The District Magistrate * The Senior Superintendent of Police * The civil judge overseeing temple affairs * The Municipal Commissioner * The Vice Chairman of the Mathura-Vrindavan Development Authority * The Principal Secretary of the Dharmarth Karya Department * A representative from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

However, the Goswamis, who claim hereditary control over the temple's management, have not been included in the state's proposed committee.

Concerns and Objections The temple management committee has challenged the Uttar Pradesh government's ordinance in the Supreme Court, calling it unconstitutional. They argue that the ordinance bypasses judicial proceedings and violates the separation of powers. Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, representing the petitioners, argued that the state is attempting to use temple funds for development works without the consent of the temple's managing body.

The Allahabad High Court has also criticized the Uttar Pradesh government's move to bring the ordinance, remarking that the government was committing a "sin". The court questioned the state's attempt to control temple management through statutory mechanisms and urged the government to "leave the temple alone".

Future Developments The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing of the petitions challenging the ordinance and has indicated that it will send the parties back to the High Court to challenge the ordinance. The court has expressed its intention to give legal shape to the committee headed by a retired High Court judge to administer the temple until the High Court decides on the ordinance's validity. The Supreme Court is also considering empowering the committee to look into the purchase of land around the temple and authorize the retired judge to induct some Goswamis into the committee for the smooth conduct of temple rituals.