Guthi Corporation Leases Trust Land to Private Organization, Sparking Local Dispute

Janakpurdham. A dispute has arisen between local residents and the Guthi Sansthan after the Guthi Sansthan leased trust land to a private organization in Hanuman Nagar, Ward No. 12 of Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City.

While the government is running a campaign to reclaim encroached trust land by forming a 9-member committee, the Sansthan itself has started protests, alleging that it has provided land on lease by taking a large sum of money.

It has been found that the Guthi Sansthan has leased 5 bigha, 10 katthas, and 12 dhurs of land, plot number 1, in Hanuman Nagar to 'Videha Osho Meditation Center' for 20 years. The land has been given to the center for religious activities with the condition of paying an annual rent of 10 lakh 15 thousand rupees, effective from Jestha 7, 2082.

Previously, the local Hanuman Temple was using the said land. The temple had provided 2 katthas of land per person for farming to local poor and disadvantaged families, in return for which they used to pay 'kut' (rent) to the temple. Now, after the same land was given to another organization, local residents have become agitated, stating that their means of livelihood have been snatched away.

Local Kalawati Sah said that they are facing a big problem as their support, which they have been cultivating for years, has been taken away. Another local, Pritam Raut Kurmi, claimed that they themselves had protected and made the encroached land cultivable. "We were earning a living by farming and also helping the temple," Kurmi said. "Now they are trying to put us in distress, we are ready to protest against this."

Roshan Kumar Raut, General Secretary of the Hanuman Nagar Hanuman Temple Conservation Committee, accused the Sansthan of injustice by leasing the land without informing the temple or locals. According to him, the 'kut' received from locals was the main source for improving the dilapidated condition of the temple and for daily expenses. He argues that while the government is talking about removing encroachment, it is promoting encroachment again by handing over land that is being protected to others.

Meanwhile, the Videha Osho Meditation Center has clarified that they have leased the land after completing the legal process. Swami Vivek Sagar, Secretary of the center, claimed that he has no intention of creating disputes and has obtained the land legally. According to him, the center aims to build an international standard yoga and meditation center at that location. He also stated that statues of Mithila scholars and temples of various gods and goddesses will be constructed there, developing it as a tourist and religious site.

Locals said that they only came to know about this after receiving a letter to vacate the land for the temple. Currently, the District Administration Office, Dhanusha, is making efforts to resolve the dispute over the land.