Convene a meeting of Temple Trustees in the presence of the Revenue Minister on ‘Devasthan Inam Nirmulan Adhiniyam’

Chief Minister issues directions to the administration following the memorandum submitted by the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh!

Mumbai, 15 May (News) – The State Revenue Department has published a draft of the ‘Maharashtra Devasthan Inam Nirmulan Adhiniyam’ and invited suggestions and objections to the same before the 5th of June. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule informed that this law will be enacted in the coming assembly session; however, there is dissatisfaction over this Bill among the temple trustees across the State. ‘Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh’ has taken a stand that the ‘Inam’ land of temples should not be sold. Mr Sunil Ghanwat, the national coordinator of Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, called on the Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis on the 14th of May and explained the stand of the temple trustees. Following this, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the administration to convene a meeting of temple trustees from across the state in the presence of the Revenue Minister.

Abolish the proposed ‘Devasthan Inam Nirmulan Adhiniyam’ – Demand by Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh to the Deputy Chief Minister

Mr Sunil Ghanwat met Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the secretariat on the 14th of May to submit a memorandum with Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh’s demand for the abolition of the proposed Act. The Deputy Chief Minister, too, has issued directions to convene a meeting along with the revenue minister.

The proposed ‘Maharashtra Devasthan Inam Abolition Draft Act 2026’ poses a major difficulty for temple lands and their management. Millions of temple trustees across the state are strongly opposing this law.

​In this regard, a memorandum was submitted to the Hon. Chief Minister… pic.twitter.com/eQl42s2t0m

— Sunil Ghanwat 🛕🛕 (@SG_HJS) May 15, 2026

We will try to understand the stance of the temple trustees! – Revenue Minister

The State Revenue Department has published the draft of ‘Maharashtra Devasthan Inam Nirmulan Adhiniyam’ and invited suggestions and objections by the fifth of June. Since this Act would permit the sale of temple lands, there is discontent among temple trustees across the state over the proposed legislation. Mr Sunil Ghanwat, the national coordinator of Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, has appealed to the revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule that the Government should understand the position of temple trustees. The minister has promised to convene a meeting with temple trustees from the State on the 21st of May. Mr Ghanawat placed this demand during a meeting with Mr Bawankule at the secretariat on the 14th of May.