Memorandums submitted to the Chief Minister and district administrations across Maharashtra, seeking protection of temple lands and waiver of stamp duty and registration charges.
The Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, seeking a complete waiver of stamp duty, registration charges, and other taxes on temple lands across Maharashtra. The organisation has also demanded the immediate implementation of an anti–land grabbing Act to protect temple properties from encroachment by land mafias.
The memorandum was submitted by Shri. Sunil Ghanwat, National Organiser of the Mandir Mahasangh, along with Shri. Abhijit Polke of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. After considering the demands, the Chief Minister responded positively and referred the memorandum to the concerned secretaries for further action.
Stating that temples function without any commercial intent, Shri Ghanwat said devotees often donate land or assist in purchasing land for religious and social activities. He added that the existing system of stamp duty and registration charges places an unnecessary financial burden on temple trusts. He urged the government to amend the Maharashtra Stamp Act and the Public Trust Act to provide a complete waiver of these charges.
Memorandums submitted to district officials across the state
Meanwhile, temple trustees from nearly ten districts have submitted similar memorandums to District Collectors, Ministers, and local representatives as part of a statewide effort to seek support for the demands.
December 15, 2025
Memorandum to CM: Mandir Mahasangh demands Temple land protection
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Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh submits a memorandum to Maharashtra CM during the Winter session of the Assembly at the Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur.
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Seeks anti–land grabbing law, ban on Sunburn festival, and stamp duty exemption for temples.
Nagpur (Maharashtra): At the Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur, representatives of the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the Winter Session of the Assembly. The memorandum called for:
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Enactment of an anti–land grabbing law to protect temple lands;
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A ban on the Sunburn Festival scheduled in Mumbai from 19–21 December; and
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Exemption of temples from stamp duty.
Shri. Sunil Ghanwat, National Organiser of the Mandir Mahasangh, and Shri. Abhijit Polke of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti were present at the submission. After considering the issues raised, the Chief Minister forwarded the memorandum to the Secretariat for further action.
The memorandum stated that thousands of acres of agricultural land belonging to temple trusts have allegedly been encroached upon by the land mafia. It therefore urged the immediate implementation of an anti–land grabbing law on the lines of those in Gujarat and Karnataka, along with the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate such cases.
