The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has announced a plan to build a grand corridor around the famous Banke Bihari Temple in Mathura. The aim is to provide better facilities to devotees, reduce crowding, and make it easier for people to visit the temple. But many locals are upset with this plan. They say the construction will destroy the narrow old lanes and traditional houses that have been there for hundreds of years. These lanes are not just roads, they are believed to be part of Lord Krishna’s divine pastimes and carry deep spiritual importance.
For the last 46 days, people have been continuously protesting against this project. According to them, these ancient bylanes, known as Kunj Galliyan, are the heart and soul of Vrindavan. They fear that turning the area into a modern structure will erase the rich history and divine energy of the place. Many believe that development should not come at the cost of sacred heritage.
On Sunday, well-known YouTuber and child saint Abhinav Arora joined the protest. He sat with local women, raised slogans, and showed full support for the movement. Abhinav announced that he would observe a one-day fast and maintain silence on July 21, which is Ekadashi, to pray for the safety of Banke Bihari ji’s land. “I will not use any vehicle or eat anything that day. I will only pray for my Bihari ji,” he said emotionally.
Abhinav Arora has now become a political activist. 😭😭😭
— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) July 15, 2025
He is opposing Banke Bihari Temple Corridor. pic.twitter.com/PwZQacFsrP
He also encouraged others to take part in the fast as a peaceful way of showing love and support for Vrindavan. “These sacred streets are where Bihari ji’s leelas happen. No cement corridor can replace that,” he said. Abhinav’s words struck a chord with many, as more people continue to stand up to protect the spiritual soul of Braj.
