Those opposing the Corridor must leave Vrindavan: Hema Malini
2025.07.04 (Vrindavan Today News): In a statement that has sent shockwaves through the temple town of Vrindavan and beyond, BJP Member of Parliament and renowned actress Hema Malini has stirred controversy with her recent remarks captured in a viral video. Speaking emphatically about the proposed temple corridor project, she stated, “The corridor will be constructed no matter what. Those who oppose it should leave Vrindavan.”
The video surfaced on Friday and spread rapidly across social media platforms, igniting a storm of criticism. Residents of Vrindavan, devotees, and cultural conservationists have expressed deep hurt and anger, calling the statement dismissive, authoritarian, and insensitive to the town’s emotional, spiritual, and historical significance.
A Town in Turmoil
Vrindavan, revered as the Rasasthali of Shri Krishna, is not just a religious center but a living heritage. From the centuries-old kunj (forest) lanes to the ashrams echoing with devotional chants, every corner of the town holds immense spiritual weight. For generations, saints, sadhus, devotees, and locals have lived in harmony with its sacred geography.
But in recent times, the proposed corridor around Shri Banke Bihari temple has sparked widespread concern. Locals fear it could lead to irreversible damage to ancient temples, displace longstanding residents, and alter the sacred character of the town in favor of tourism and commercialization.
Ever since the ordinance announcing the corridor project was passed, resistance has steadily grown. Grassroots protests, petitions, and public appeals have marked the discourse. People aren’t simply rejecting development—they’re questioning the intent, process, and impact of the plan, especially when it seems to ignore the emotional and spiritual fabric of the region.
The Statement That Hurt
Against this tense backdrop, Hema Malini’s comment struck a nerve. Instead of empathizing with the people or addressing their concerns, her words came across as a diktat: either accept the government’s plan or leave the town altogether. For many, this wasn’t just political rhetoric—it felt like a betrayal from someone elected to represent them.
“It’s our Vrindavan. Not a film set or a tourism project to be force-fitted into a government blueprint,” wrote one resident on social media. Another commented, “How can a spiritual city like Vrindavan be redefined without listening to its own people?”
Others pointed out the irony that a place known for sheltering souls seeking refuge is now being reduced to a space that expels dissent.
At the heart of the protest is the belief that Vrindavan is not just geography, but theology. The narrow lanes, the spontaneous bhajans, the natural gathering of devotees in unstructured spaces—all are part of an ecosystem that can’t be replicated in a concrete corridor.
While development is necessary, the manner and motivation behind it matter. People are asking: who is this corridor really for? Is it to facilitate the devotion of pilgrims or the convenience of tourists? Will it enrich the town or erase its soul?
A Call for Dialogue, Not Division
The backlash against Hema Malini’s remark is not merely political. It’s emotional, cultural, and deeply personal. People are not opposing progress—they are standing up for preservation, for identity, for love for a town that is far more than its buildings and streets.
In democratic India, disagreement is not disloyalty. The citizens of Vrindavan deserve to be heard, not silenced. Telling them to “leave” if they don’t agree undermines the very spirit of representation.
As the corridor project continues to loom large over the town, it is imperative for policymakers and public figures to engage, but not alienate the people whose lives will be directly impacted. Vrindavan belongs to all who revere it, and its future must be shaped with humility, sensitivity, and respect for its sacred pulse.
If democracy is to mean anything, it must start with listening. Especially in a town where the divine once walked barefoot, the voices of those who love Vrindavan must not be trampled under steel and cement.
