Banke Bihari Temple corridor dispute: Faith, homes and politics collide in Vrindavan

Banke Bihari Temple corridor. (Photo: X)

Protests against the Uttar Pradesh government’s proposed Banke Bihari Temple corridor in Vrindavan have reportedly gained fresh momentum following the circulation of a video showing local MP and BJP leader Hema Malini declaring that the project would go ahead regardless of opposition.

In the video, which resurfaced four days ago, Malini is seen stating, “Banke Bihari Corridor will be constructed. Those opposing it can be shifted somewhere else. We will make the corridor for sure.” The BJP later claimed the clip was old, recorded before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and edited. While Malini could not be reached for comment, The Indian Express reported that the clarification had little effect on the growing unease among residents.

The Supreme Court had cleared the Rs 1,000-crore corridor project on May 15, allowing the use of temple funds to acquire five acres of land. This overturned an earlier Allahabad High Court ruling that had supported the plan but barred access to temple finances. The state government quickly followed up with an ordinance to establish a temple trust and oversee the development.

As per The Indian Express, the project, modelled on the Kashi Vishwanath corridor in Varanasi, aims to manage the rising footfall around the temple, which sees up to three lakh visitors during festivals. According to the district administration, the narrow lanes near the shrine are inadequate to handle the surge, as underscored by a fatal stampede during Janmashtami in 2022.

Yet, for many living in the temple’s shadow, the project threatens to displace both homes and heritage. Long-time resident Radha Mishra, who has lived near Gate No. 5 of the temple since 1982 and owns nearby shops that support her family, now faces uncertainty over where she will go if her property is demolished, The Indian Express reported.

Others, like Nimish Goswami, questioned the government's compensation promises. His 24-member joint family occupies a house built at a cost of over Rs 1 crore and he remains sceptical about the feasibility of being resettled in small flats. Goswami also raised concerns over stagnant circle rates, which he said would reduce compensation for homeowners.

The Mathura-Vrindavan Development Authority has reportedly identified four plots in Rukmini Vihar, about 7 km away, where around 350 flats are planned in the first phase. Vice-Chairman Shyam Bahadur Singh said the verification process is being redone to consider factors such as whether the property is residential or commercial and how many storeys it has, as cited by The Indian Express. Additional land may be used if needed, and he assured that rehabilitation would include shop allotments within the new corridor.

District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh reportedly insisted that most residents supported the project and that the administration was addressing all genuine concerns. He reiterated that the development was essential to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.

Still, the emotional connection many share with the temple runs deep. The Indian Express reported that Goswami’s elderly father, a sevayat at the shrine, adheres to traditional practices that depend on proximity to the temple. Shifting several kilometres away, the family fears, could disrupt their spiritual customs. Around 1,500 such sevayats live in the immediate vicinity of the temple, many tracing their presence back generations.

Some residents alleged that officials entered their homes without consent to conduct surveys. Others, like Kusum Devi, whose husband has operated a small barber shop for 40 years, said they allowed officials in without protest, fearing repercussions.

Criticism has also come from opposition leaders. Congress’s Uttar Pradesh chief Ajay Rai accused the government of destroying heritage in the name of development, likening the Vrindavan plan to the controversial Kashi corridor. Samajwadi Party’s Sanjay Lathar questioned why similar redevelopment was not being carried out at the Gorakhnath Temple, where Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is the head priest, and said that temple trusts should not override the traditional rights of sevayats, The Indian Express reported.

On the ground, survey work continues. According to Tehsildar Saurav Yadav, over 30 houses and attached shops, ranging from eateries and flower stalls to Krishna portrait sellers, have already been mapped. Many of these businesses have been family-run for decades and rely entirely on the temple's footfall. The government has also appointed Awanish Kumar Awasthi, advisor to the Chief Minister, to engage with locals and build consensus.