A day after The Hindu reported that the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, received registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) without a direct application from the temple priests, a government source clarified that a management committee appointed by the court had submitted the application.
The source explained that the temple is presently overseen by the Mathura district court, which established the committee. “This management committee, sanctioned by the court, has applied for the FCRA license,” the source stated.
Previously, the temple was governed by a hereditary group of priests and operated under private management. The FCRA registration was granted following the proper application process after receiving court approval. According to the application, the temple has significant foreign currency donations and aims to attract more contributions from overseas, the source added.
The temple committee is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with the BJP-led state government regarding the administration of the temple’s operations and finances. Members of the committee include appointees from the state government.
The priests of the temple emphasized that they were not involved in the registration process’s application.
Historically, the Banke Bihari Temple has been managed by a hereditary group of Sevayat Goswami priests, belonging to the Saraswat Brahmin community, and the descendants of Swami Haridas, the founder of the temple over 550 years ago.
Government sources indicated that the temple’s current funds are approximately ₹480 crore, in addition to gold and other precious items.