The Allahabad High Court has sought a detailed response from the Uttar Pradesh Government in a public interest litigation (PIL) that challenges the proposed demolition of sacred lanes and temples in Vrindavan for the Banke Bihari Temple Corridor project.
The PIL was filed in 2023 by Pankaj Saraswat. It argues that the redevelopment project will destroy the traditional character—referred to as the swaroop—of Vrindavan, which holds immense spiritual and historical value. The petitioner requested the court to prevent the demolition of the historic Kunj Galis and to ensure that the identities of ancient temples remain intact.
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“The Kunj Galis are not mere streets; they are sacred spaces believed to be the stage for Lord Krishna’s divine Ras Leela,” the petition states.
The matter was heard by Justice Siddhartha Varma and Justice Madan Pal Singh. While noting that a similar issue is already being considered by the Supreme Court, the High Court asked the state to file its reply and listed the next hearing on July 3, 2025.
In the Supreme Court, devotees Devendra Nath Goswami and Rasik Raj Goswami filed modification applications against its May 15, 2025 order. That order had allowed the use of temple funds to acquire around five acres of land for corridor construction—if the land is registered in the deity’s name.
The Supreme Court applications argue that the redevelopment plan is culturally insensitive and was approved without giving devotees a fair hearing.
“The plan would irreversibly damage the temple’s spiritual ecosystem and violate the rights of devotees under Article 25 of the Constitution,” the applicants submitted.
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The PIL before the High Court also raises constitutional concerns. It argues that demolishing these spiritual sites violates:
- Article 25: Freedom of religion
- Article 26: Right to manage religious affairs
- Article 49: State’s duty to protect monuments of cultural and historical interest
“Temples and sacred streets in Vrindavan form a living tradition of the Vaishnava Bhakti movement. Erasing them would be a cultural and spiritual loss,” the plea emphasizes.
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The petitioner also urged the court to stop forced land acquisitions and ensure fair compensation as per the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013.
The case, titled Pankaj Saraswat vs. State Of U.P. And 3 Others, is being closely watched, as it touches on issues of religious freedom, heritage preservation, and state-led development in sacred regions.
Quote (Highlight):
“Demolishing sacred streets and temples around Shri Banke Bihari Ji Temple would amount to desecration of a centuries-old holy site.”
Counsel for Petitioner: Priyanka Mishra, Utkarsh Birla
Counsel for Respondent: Dharmendra Singh Chauhan
Next Hearing: July 3, 2025
Case title - Pankaj Saraswat vs. State Of U.P. And 3 Others
