Bankey Bihari temple ordinance not intended to interfere in religious rights, only limited to secular activities of the ancient temple: UP govt in SC

The Uttar Pradesh government maintained in the Supreme Court on Tuesday (August 5, 2025) that it did not intend to interfere with religious rights by promulgating an ordinance taking over the management of the ancient Bankey Bihari temple at Vrindavan in Mathura.

The State was responding to a query from a Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant on July 4 about its “undue haste” in bringing out the ordinance.

‘State entitled to administer temples despite being secular’

Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, for Uttar Pradesh, said the ambit of the ordinance was limited to secular activities and administration of the temple. He said the ordinance was expected to be ratified in the State Assembly.

Noting the temple was historic, Mr. Nataraj said the government was keen to develop the temple by providing better facilities to worshippers like in the cases of Ayodhya and Kashi.