The iconic Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, has been granted Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration, enabling it to receive foreign donations. A government source clarified that the FCRA approval was sought by a court-appointed management committee overseeing the temple, not the temple’s hereditary priests.
The Mathura district court formed the management committee, which includes nominees from the BJP-led State government, to manage the temple’s affairs. The temple, historically managed by Sevayat Goswami priests and descendants of Swami Haridas, is now locked in a legal battle with the State government over control of its substantial funds, valued at approximately ₹480 crore, along with gold and other valuables.
According to sources, the FCRA application cited the temple’s regular inflow of foreign currency and its intention to accept donations from abroad. The Ministry of Home Affairs granted the registration on Friday under the “Religious (Hindu)” category after due scrutiny and court approval.
The FCRA registration is a crucial step, as it is mandatory under the 2010 Act for NGOs and associations to legally receive foreign funds. The development highlights the ongoing tussle between traditional custodians and the State government over the temple’s management and finances, even as it opens avenues for international contributions to one of India’s most revered religious sites.
