Supreme Court's Observations on Mediation

During the hearing regarding the Banke Bihari Temple, the Supreme Court remarked that Lord Krishna was the original mediator. This comment arose while the court was deliberating on the formation of an interim committee to oversee the management of the renowned Banke Bihari Temple located in Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh. Justice Surya Kant noted that when discussing mediation, Krishna was the first mediator, which is why we also strive for mediation. The bench granted time to the Uttar Pradesh lawyer to obtain instructions regarding the interim arrangement, emphasizing the extraordinary significance of this matter. They expressed a desire not to exclude anyone from the process.

The court also criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for obtaining an order affecting the management of the Banke Bihari Temple without hearing its current representatives. The court stated that such actions were unexpected from the state, highlighting that they acted behind the backs of the temple authorities without any notice. The Supreme Court is currently hearing petitions challenging the Banke Bihari Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025, filed by the temple priests, and is also considering a request to amend a previous order allowing the Uttar Pradesh government to utilize funds for the temple.

This is not the first instance where the Supreme Court has questioned the government. In May, during a hearing by a different bench, Justice B.V. Nagarathna had inquired why the state decided to hijack a lawsuit between two private parties.