On VIP darshan-puja in Shri Banke Bihari Temple of Vrindavan, the Supreme Court said that the deity is not being allowed to rest. When common devotees cannot visit, special pujas are organized for those who pay huge fees.
The bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Panchauli was hearing the petition of the temple servants, who have opposed the instructions of the committee appointed by the court. The committee has asked to extend the darshan time for common devotees. However, at the end of the hearing the court issued a notice to the High Powered Committee. The case will be heard in January.
In the petition, Shri Banke Bihari Ji Mandir Trust Ordinance, 2025 has been challenged. The service officer of the temple says that the management of the temple has been done under a special plan made in the year 1939 and the government has no authority over it.
According to the report of Live Law, senior advocate Shyam Diwan, counsel for the petitioner, said that there has been a change in the timing of darshan, which is an integral part of the rituals of the temple. On this, CJI Surya Kant asked that if the timing of darshan was increased then what was the problem in it. The petitioner says that if there is a change in the timing of darshan, it would also mean a change in the rituals inside the temple, including the resting of the deities.
CJI Surya Kant said, ‘After the temple closes at 12 noon, they do not allow the deity to rest even for a minute. At that time, they are harassed the most and special pujas are conducted for rich people by charging huge fees. During this time, those people who can pay a huge amount are invited and a special puja is organized for them.
Advocate Shyam Diwan told the CJI that your apprehensions are correct, but that is a different issue. CJI said, ‘The second thing is to end the practice of daily puja… Suppose there is a reduction of 10-15 thousand devotees in the original timing, but what difference will it make?’ Advocate Shyam Diwan said that we do not want a stampede-like situation. There is a need to control the number of devotees. Well that is a different issue.
He raised another issue and said that Dehri Puja is done at a special place at the feet of the Lord, but now it has been stopped. He suggested that the Dehri Puja between Guru and disciple should not be stopped. The court said that we make the temple management a party. Notice should be sent to the High Powered Committee and Uttar Pradesh Government through the District Magistrate of Mathura.
(With inputs from Nipun Sehgal)
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