NHRC member questions MP Tourism Dept on public funds spent on temple railing
Synopsis
An NHRC member has publicly called out the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department over taxpayer money allegedly spent on a railing at a Bhopal temple — and the department has stayed silent. With a theft complaint now found to be unsubstantiated and no official funding disclosure in sight, the episode puts a spotlight on how public infrastructure budgets at religious sites escape routine scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo questioned the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department on 20 August over public funds spent on a railing near the Baadh Wale Ganesh Temple in Bhopal .
Kanoongo demanded disclosure of who constructed the railing, under whose authority, and how much taxpayers' money was spent.
A complaint alleging theft of the railing was filed, but City SP Atul Singh confirmed the railing is still in place after verification.
The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department has not issued any official response to the NHRC member's queries.
The incident has raised broader questions about transparency in government spending at religious sites.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanoongo has raised pointed questions about the use of taxpayer money to install a railing near the Baadh Wale Ganesh Temple in Bhopal, tagging the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department in a strongly worded post on X on 20 August. The post has drawn fresh scrutiny to how public infrastructure funds are sanctioned and spent at religious sites in the state.
What Kanoongo Said
In his post, Kanoongo shared a photograph of the railing and demanded that officials step out of their offices to establish who constructed the structure, under whose authority it was built, and how much public money was spent on it. He stressed that taxpayers' money is earned through the hard work of ordinary citizens and must be accounted for with full transparency — not met with excuses.
The NHRC member specifically called out the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department, questioning whether it had been examined in connection with the railing's installation.
The Theft Complaint and Police Clarification
The matter gained additional attention after a complaint was filed alleging that the same railing had been stolen. City Superintendent of Police Atul Singh clarified that the complaint had been received through the Superintendent of Police and forwarded for investigation. Upon verification, however, police confirmed that the railing remains installed at the site — making the theft claim unsubstantiated, at least for now.
The contradiction between the complaint and the ground-level verification adds a layer of confusion to an already contentious issue around public accountability.
Tourism Department Yet to Respond
As of the time of reporting, local authorities and the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department had not issued a detailed response to the specific queries raised by the NHRC member. No official statement has been made public regarding the railing's funding source, the authority that sanctioned its construction, or the total expenditure involved.
Broader Accountability Concerns
This incident reflects a recurring concern across Indian states about the use of government tourism budgets for infrastructure at religious sites — a practice that often blurs the line between public utility spending and state patronage of religion. Notably, the absence of a proactive disclosure from the Tourism Department has itself become part of the controversy.
Further clarity is expected as the police investigation into the original theft complaint concludes and pressure mounts on the department to respond to the NHRC member's questions.
Point of View
A prompt official response is the baseline expectation — not an option. The added twist of a theft complaint that turned out to be false risks muddying the core accountability question: was public money appropriately sanctioned and spent on this structure? That question remains unanswered. Across India, tourism department budgets have frequently been used for infrastructure at religious sites with minimal public disclosure, and this case fits a familiar pattern where scrutiny arrives only after a controversy erupts, not before.
NationPress
20 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo raise questions about the Baadh Wale Ganesh Temple railing?
Kanoongo questioned whether taxpayer money was appropriately used to install a railing near the Baadh Wale Ganesh Temple in Bhopal, tagging the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department on X. He demanded transparency on who sanctioned the construction and how much public money was spent.
What did the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department say in response?
As of the time of reporting, the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department had not issued any official response to the NHRC member's queries regarding the railing's funding or construction authority.
Was the railing at Baadh Wale Ganesh Temple actually stolen?
No. A complaint alleging theft of the railing was filed, but City Superintendent of Police Atul Singh confirmed after verification that the railing remains installed at the site, making the theft claim unsubstantiated.
Who is Priyank Kanoongo?
Priyank Kanoongo is a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India. He raised the public accountability concern through a post on X, sharing a photograph of the railing and demanding answers from the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department.
What broader issue does this case highlight?
The incident draws attention to the lack of transparency around government tourism budgets spent on infrastructure at religious sites. Critics argue that such expenditure often lacks adequate public disclosure or independent scrutiny.
