A written response by the Bhopal district administration describing an Arya Samaj Mandir as ‘not a temple’ and ‘not legally recognised as a religious institution’ has sparked a sharp backlash from social groups and religious leaders.
The controversy arose after a petition seeking the removal of a liquor shop located near the Arya Samaj Mandir in Bhopal’s Arera Colony was dismissed on the grounds that the temple does not fall under the definition of a ‘religious institution’ as per official norms.
The case began when local residents lodged a complaint requesting that a liquor outlet adjacent to the Arya Samaj Mandir be relocated, citing religious sentiments and civic rules that prohibit alcohol shops near temples.
However, in a detailed reply posted by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Dr Priyank Kanungo on social media, the administration stated that the Arya Samaj Mandir “is not registered under the Madhya Pradesh Public Trust Act, 1951,” and therefore “cannot be classified as a religious institution.”
The administrative response, dated March 31, 2023 (Letter No. 111), explicitly mentions that under Rule 2 (B) , a ‘religious institution” refers to a registered temple, mosque, monastery, church, or public place of worship established and managed by a recognised public trust.
The reply further notes that the Arya Samaj Mandir in Arera Colony is neither registered with any trust nor governed by any recognised body, and hence does not qualify for protection under the provisions that regulate liquor shop locations near temples.
The administration’s letter adds that according to information from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Kolhar and TT Nagar, the Arya Samaj Mandir is not owned or administered by any local public trust, and no registration certificate has been produced to establish its religious or legal standing.
“In light of this, the Arya Samaj Mandir, Arera Colony, Bhopal, does not meet the criteria of a religious institution as defined by law,” the letter concludes.
The response has drawn sharp criticism from Dr. Kanungo, who called the wording ‘bureaucratic insensitivity of the highest order’.
He said, “To claim that Arya Samaj Mandirs are not temples because they are not registered reflects a lack of understanding of India’s cultural and reformist traditions. Maharshi Daya-nand Saraswati’s Arya Samaj was founded to revive Vedic ideals and promote social reform, its temples are integral to that vision.”
Social groups have echoed his concerns, urging the Government to review its classification norms. Legal experts note that the issue exposes a larger administrative gap: many Arya Samaj institutions operate as community trusts without formal registration.
Dr. Kanungo has hinted that the NHRC may seek an explanation from the concerned officials. “Faith-based institutions rooted in social reform cannot be reduced to paperwork,” he said. “The administration must recognize the spirit of the law, not just its letter.”
The controversy has reignited the broader debate over how religious and reformist institutions are treated under administrative and legal frameworks — a reflection, many argue, of the widening disconnect between governance and cultural understanding.
