Over 1,000 temple trustees from 22 districts place their demand before the state government.
More than 1,000 temple trustees from 22 districts across Maharashtra have come together to demand that the State Government immediately implement a strict ‘Anti-Land Grabbing Act’ on the lines of Gujarat and Karnataka. Thousands of acres of temple land are being illegally grabbed by land mafia in collusion with certain revenue officials. Under the leadership of the Mandir Mahasangha, over 300 memorandums have been submitted to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Revenue Minister, and officials across the state.
महाराष्ट्र के कई जिलों, यवतमाल, अकोला और सिंधुदुर्ग में जिला अधिकारियों को निवेदन सौंपा गया, जिसमें मंदिर ट्रस्टी और हिंदू संगठनों के पदाधिकारी उपस्थित रहे।
A memorandum was submitted across Maharashtra with temple trustees and Hindu organization leaders present.@SG_HJS pic.twitter.com/TCdtlmnqvP
— Mandir Mahasangh (@mandirmahasangh) November 19, 2025
This statewide initiative saw the active participation of trustees from several temples, including Harihareshwar (Raigad), Sajjangad (Satara), Ballaleshwar (Pali), Parshuram Tapovan (Vasai), Muktidham (Nashik), Kanhoba (Akot–Akola), Kashi Vishweshwar (Ratnagiri), Ujhalai (Kolhapur), along with core team members of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh and representatives of Hindu organisations. In Akola district alone, more than 160 advocates joined the effort.
Shri. Sunil Ghanavat, National Coordinator of the Mandir Mahasangh, stated that temple endowment lands cannot legally be transferred. However, due to corruption and negligence, these lands are being unlawfully usurped. In Western Maharashtra alone, 671 temple land parcels have faced direct encroachment, and in Vidarbha, land worth ₹50 crore in Amravati–Akola was sold for merely ₹960.
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विषय : २२ जिल्ह्यांतून १ हजारांहून अधिक मंदिर विश्वस्तांची शासनाकडे जोरदार मागणी !
देवस्थानांच्या भूमींचे रक्षण करण्यासाठी अँटी लँड ग्रॅबिंग ॲक्ट राज्यात तात्काळ लागू करा !
– श्री. सुनील घनवट, राष्ट्रीय संघटक, मंदिर महासंघ@SG_HJS #Free_Hindu_Temples pic.twitter.com/1e3aFIEbh5
— Mandir Mahasangh (@mandirmahasangh) November 19, 2025
Despite clear directions by the Supreme Court (2007) and the Bombay High Court (2025) that the protection of religious property is the responsibility of the State, the absence of stringent penal provisions has emboldened land grabbers. In Gujarat, land grabbing is a non-bailable offence with punishment of up to 14 years’ imprisonment and a fine equal to the market value of the land. We similar strict law must be implemented in Maharashtra.
The key demands include : Immediate implementation of the ‘Anti-Land Grabbing Act’ through an ordinance; a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe all land transfers of the last 25 years; establishment of fast-track courts in every department to resolve cases within six months; and stringent penalties with a minimum of 14 years’ imprisonment and heavy fines for offenders.
The Mandir Mahasangh and temple trustees have demanded that, in keeping with the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the State Government take decisive steps at the earliest and safeguard the sanctity of temple properties.
