From Sacred to Stolen: Maharashtra's Battle Against Temple Land Grabbing
Maharashtra, a state rich in spiritual heritage, is grappling with a modern crisis that threatens the very sanctity of its temples. Once centers of devotion, these temples now find themselves at the mercy of land mafias and corrupt officials. The systematic encroachment on temple lands has become a stark reality, turning these sacred spaces into profit farms for the greedy.
The problem is deep-rooted and methodical. Temple lands, especially Devasthan Inam lands, were historically protected by law. However, the tampering of Inam registers and village record books by local revenue officers, village clerks, and well-connected middlemen has led to the silent and bloodless theft of thousands of acres of temple land. These lands, originally donated by farmers, kings, and devotees to ensure the temples' upkeep, have now been transferred to benami holders or so-called “tenants,” who have magically emerged as legal owners.
The Western Maharashtra Devasthan Management Committee alone reports encroachment on more than 671 land parcels under its jurisdiction. This is just the tip of the iceberg, with the statewide picture being far more devastating. Under the guise of tenancy rights and loopholes in the Maharashtra Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, mafias have converted temple property into private estates. Land grabbing has not only become profitable but has also been institutionalized, with the state turning a blind eye to the issue.
The judiciary has attempted to address the issue, with the Supreme Court and the Bombay High Court making it clear that protecting temple property is the state’s bounden duty. However, these legal pronouncements have been rendered ineffective by the state’s lack of enforcement. Maharashtra lags behind states like Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam, which have stringent anti-land-grabbing laws. In these states, land grabbing is treated as a serious criminal offense, with penalties ranging from imprisonment to hefty fines.
The legal softness in Maharashtra has emboldened land mafias. Devotees who donated land centuries ago would be horrified to see their offerings converted into private villas, real estate ventures, gated colonies, and speculative assets. The theft of temple land is not just a legal issue but a cultural one, eroding the very fabric of Maharashtra’s spiritual heritage.
The government has taken some steps, such as a temporary freeze on transactions involving Devasthan lands and the formation of a committee to frame a new policy. However, these measures are insufficient. What is needed is a strong, enforceable law that criminalizes land grabbing. Maharashtra must immediately pass an Anti-Land Grabbing Ordinance, similar to those in Gujarat and Karnataka, with penalties including imprisonment and heavy fines.
Alongside the law, a state-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) must be established to review all temple land transfers over the past 20-25 years. This team should have the authority to reverse illegal transfers, cancel fraudulent documents, and prosecute officials involved in the fraud. Special Fast-Track Courts dedicated to temple land cases are also crucial to ensure that justice is not delayed.
Stakeholder inclusion is equally important. The Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, representing thousands of temples across the state, should be involved in drafting the law and policy. Their firsthand experience and insights are invaluable in addressing this crisis.
The irony of the situation is heartbreaking. Temples that once fed entire villages now struggle to pay for basic rituals, while the lands meant for their upkeep have been converted into profit farms for mafias. This moral inversion is unbecoming of Maharashtra, a state that prides itself on its progressive governance and rich cultural heritage.
Maharashtra stands at a crossroads. It must choose between restoring the dignity of its temples and allowing them to be slowly cannibalized by greed. The millions of devotees, temple trustees, and communities who draw cultural sustenance from these sacred spaces are watching and waiting. Their patience is not infinite.
If Maharashtra truly values its temples, it must act decisively. Enact strong laws, punish the guilty, reclaim stolen lands, and restore betrayed trust. Anything less will be remembered as cowardice. Temples have survived invasions, plunder, and centuries of upheaval. It would be a historic shame if they fall today not to marauders but to paperwork and greed. The time for decisive action is now.
