Following the Supreme Court's decision, the Yogi government has received clear direction regarding the construction of the Banke Bihari Temple corridor. Considering the court's order a crucial step towards improving facilities for pilgrims and crowd management, the government has prioritized this project.
Banke Bihari Corridor: Following the Supreme Court's directives, the Yogi government's activity regarding the Banke Bihari Temple corridor construction has intensified. Meanwhile, on Friday, Avnish Kumar Awasthi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's advisor and former senior administrative officer, met with the temple sevayats (priests) to discuss the corridor project. While the sevayats expressed their theoretical agreement on the corridor's construction, they bly opposed the government's proposed formation of a temple trust.
The sevayats' main concern is that the government intends to interfere with the worship practices and their traditional rights through the trust. Although the government claims the trust will only manage administrative operations, the sevayats' stance is clear: "No compromise on the rights to perform the puja (worship)."
Sevayats Change Stance, But Remain Firmly Opposed to the Trust
On Friday, Avnish Awasthi visited the seat of temple sevayat Shailendra Goswami, where a detailed discussion was held with sevayats from the Goswami community. Those sevayats who were opposing the corridor in the morning showed some leniency by the evening, stating that they would not oppose the corridor if the traders and Braj residents agreed. However, they made it clear that the formation of the temple trust would not be accepted under any circumstances.
The sevayats believe that under the pretext of forming a trust, the government will gradually interfere in the rights to perform the puja. The sevayats argue that this is not only a religious matter but also a matter of social and traditional heritage. The service at the Banke Bihari Temple is performed by the descendants of Hazrat Swami Haridas Ji, who revealed the deity Thakur Ji.
Government Assurance: 'Sevayats' Rights Will Be Protected'
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Awasthi stated that the state government wants to provide better facilities to devotees and that the corridor will not only facilitate darshan (viewing of the deity) but also boost trade and tourism. He assured that the traditional rights of the sevayats would not be violated and that the puja practices would remain unchanged.
Awasthi clarified that the trust is proposed only for managing administrative arrangements, not for transferring religious traditions. He also requested written suggestions from the sevayats so that a solution can be found with the agreement of all parties.
Ground-Level Concerns Related to Corridor Construction
This project involves creating resting places and corridors along Vrindavan's circumambulation route from Kalideh to Keshighat. However, dissatisfaction prevails among those whose properties fall within the corridor's scope. Some affected citizens stated during the meeting that they have been residing there for generations and that displacing them would be unjust.
DM C.P. Singh clarified that the corridor must be built as per the Supreme Court's directive, and the discussion can now focus on better compensation. Angered by this, some people left the meeting, while others expressed support.
Sevayats Suggest Alternatives
The sevayats suggested that the temple administration could be improved in three phases based on the report of former DGP Sulkhan Singh. This includes extending darshan timings, implementing an online registration system, and managing the corridor under a local trust. They stated that if the government implements these measures, the dispute could be resolved.
The sevayats also reminded that when the previous Samajwadi Party government spoke of acquiring the temple, Yogi Adityanath, while serving as an MP, opposed it. Therefore, discussing the formation of a trust during his tenure seems contradictory.
