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‘Devasthan Inam Abolition Draft Act 2026’ put on hold

Announcement by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule

The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti held a press conference to address the rising crimes against women and demanded strict action from various establishments.

Nagpur – Revenue Minister and BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced in Nagpur that the government is granting a stay to the ‘Devasthan Inam Abolition Draft Act 2026’, a draft legislation containing provisions that could have enabled temple lands to be easily transferred to others and thereby potentially destroy the sources of income and financial resources of temples. The draft had faced strong opposition primarily from the Vishva Hindu Parishad, trustees of various temples and the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh. The government had made the draft public and invited objections and suggestions. Temple trustees, along with the devout Hindu organisations, had met the Chief Minister and the Revenue Minister and conveyed the serious dangers that the draft posed to temples. Consequently, after studying the matter and following the expiry of the objection period on 5 June, the government made the above announcement on 6 June.

On this occasion, Bawankule said,

“There are 5.5 lakh hectares of Devasthan Inam land in the State. Some of these lands have been encroached upon, while others are in the possession of occupants, tenants, hereditary tenants or farmers. The government was considering bringing this legislation with the objective of restoring these lands to the temples, establishing the rights of the temples and protecting the rights of hereditary tenants as well.

As a large number of objections have been raised against the draft, we are putting it on hold. A law will be enacted that meets the expectations of the temples, safeguards their rights and strengthens them.”

All objections will be heard before a new committee, and a fresh draft will be prepared

A committee will be constituted under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Vikas Kharge. The committee will include two Divisional Commissioners, two District Collectors, three Deputy Secretaries and representatives from 15 Devasthans. Advocates who have previously fought legal battles on behalf of Devasthans will also be included in the committee. Every objection received will be heard by 15 August. A new draft will be prepared by 15 September. It will again be placed in the public domain for review. Thereafter, it will be presented during the December session and converted into law, Revenue Minister Bawankule informed.

Bawankule further stated that lands which can be returned outright to Devasthans should be returned outright. Wherever possible, land will be allotted in areas close to the temples.

We welcome the government’s decision: Sunil Ghanwat, National Organiser, Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh

Major success for the efforts of Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, Ashtavinayak temples and Vishva Hindu Parishad in protecting temple lands

Mumbai – State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule made the important announcement in Nagpur that the ‘Devasthan Inam Abolition Draft Act 2026’ has been put on hold. We wholeheartedly welcome this temple-friendly decision. We publicly congratulate the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, the Ashtavinayak Temple Committee, the Vishva Hindu Parishad and temple trustees across the State, who presented well-researched arguments on behalf of temple trustees, organised press conferences and temple land protection conferences, and guided the government towards taking a positive decision. This decision represents a major success for the united struggle and efforts of all temple trustees and all the devout Hindu organisations, according to a press release issued by Mr Sunil Ghanwat, National Organiser of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh.

Shri. Sunil Ghanwat

Mr Sunil Ghanwat said,

1. The Revenue Minister’s decisions to restore Devasthan Inam lands to temples, remove encroachments through government intervention in a manner similar to the Waqf Board, obtain guidance from renowned advocates for court battles, and provide mandatory provisions for granting equivalent-value land near the original location in cases involving hereditary occupations of 100 to 200 years without harming temple interests, are highly welcome and beneficial for temples.

2. We also welcome the government’s decision to include representatives of Devasthans in the 15-member committee under the Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), which is being established for the hearing process until 15 August.

3. Although the government has taken several temple-friendly decisions, we strongly demand that many of the extremely important issues contained in our resolutions for the comprehensive protection of Hindu temples be included in this new process and legislation.

4. Donations offered by devotees should be used exclusively for the propagation of Hindu Dharma, renovation of temples and the religious needs of Hindu community. They should not be spent on any secular or government schemes.

5. The use of temple funds for political patronage and affiliations must be stopped.

6. We demand that funds from larger temples be utilised appropriately for the reconstruction of small and neglected temples across the State, and that a monthly subsistence allowance of at least ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 be provided to Guravs and other temple servants who selflessly serve God in villages and remote areas.

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