If I ‘miraculously discover’ ancient idols on my land, can the government steal my temple?

Community Forums Legal Advice India If I ‘miraculously discover’ ancient idols on my land, can the government steal my temple?

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    • #38315 Reply
      Vandanafalcon559
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        Vandanafalcon559
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        March 10, 2025 at 10:19 am

        Suppose I buy a remote piece of land, bury some old idols, and then orchestrate a staged ‘miracle discovery’ during construction by inviting locals for a Pooja. Once the idols are ‘unearthed,’ I declare it a holy site and build a temple, attracting donations and religious significance to the land.

        Now, will the government try to take over my temple, citing archaeology or heritage laws, or will it remain my private property since I ‘discovered’ the idols on my own land?

      • #38329 Reply
        User_cc27ff3f
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          User_cc27ff3f
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          March 10, 2025 at 10:27 am
          I don’t think they can. Make sure people believe it, and u act like a Saint.

          Let’s start with changing ur username.

          • #38332 Reply
            Anshguru984
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              Anshguru984
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              March 10, 2025 at 11:20 am
              Lmaooo

          • #38328 Reply
            Quicknamit8968
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              Quicknamit8968
              PARTICIPANT
              March 10, 2025 at 10:30 am
              It won’t be the Govt…it would be the friends of Deity who try and take the land

            • #38327 Reply
              Ishitathinker901
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                Ishitathinker901
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                March 10, 2025 at 10:33 am
                You don’t have the government to worry about…You have another mafia to worry about. The temple & religious mafia.

              • #38326 Reply
                Mightywolf347
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                  Mightywolf347
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                  March 10, 2025 at 10:34 am
                  Depends from state to state. And the size of the temple.

                  • #38331 Reply
                    Vandanafalcon559
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                      V
                      Vandanafalcon559
                      OP
                      March 10, 2025 at 10:37 am
                      What about a small one where 30-50 people visit daily, donate small amounts in cash, and generate a stable income without attracting much attention?

                      • #38333 Reply
                        Mightywolf347
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                          Mightywolf347
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                          March 10, 2025 at 10:38 am
                          Generally nobody’s gonna care for such temples.

                    • #38325 Reply
                      User_87f76ff2
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                        User_87f76ff2
                        PARTICIPANT
                        March 10, 2025 at 10:34 am
                        Government can take anything if they really want to.

                        India doesn’t have right to property.

                        If a PM really wants something he will get it.

                        If he wants to nuke Pakistan and take India into a black hole he can.

                        If Covid lockdown can happen for a good reason then an even more brutal 1975 like emergency can happen for a bad reason

                      • #38324 Reply
                        Shivanshpanda417
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                          Shivanshpanda417
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                          March 10, 2025 at 10:37 am
                          They can’t

                        • #38323 Reply
                          User_3f1e72f7
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                            User_3f1e72f7
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                            March 10, 2025 at 10:41 am
                            If any local complains, it could go to court. ASI can take control for excavation and research of the land for some time. But it would be returned to you if they don’t find any further proof. For the custody of old idols, temple etc, you are safe if you can get a Trust registered to control the temple and activities. Again the risk is if the previous owners complain that it’s their family deity etc.

                            • #38330 Reply
                              Vandanafalcon559
                              Participant
                                V
                                Vandanafalcon559
                                OP
                                March 10, 2025 at 10:43 am
                                Sounds like the real risk is some long-lost khandaani pujari suddenly claiming it’s their ancestral deity.
                                Thank you for the insights.

                            • #38322 Reply
                              User_025078f6
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                                User_025078f6
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                                March 10, 2025 at 10:42 am
                                Depends on how much money and connections you have

                              • #38321 Reply
                                User_1fad4d74
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                                  User_1fad4d74
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                                  March 10, 2025 at 10:43 am
                                  first change your username and second , this might be the loophole i was searching for , thanks OP

                                • #38320 Reply
                                  User_2b25ad11
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                                    User_2b25ad11
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                                    March 10, 2025 at 10:51 am
                                    carbon dating left the chat

                                  • #38319 Reply
                                    Fiercefox9369
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                                      Fiercefox9369
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                                      March 10, 2025 at 10:56 am
                                      see if you generate above 25lakhs or 1 crore then that religious place especiall hindu temple wiil be taken over .

                                    • #38318 Reply
                                      User_f329d3da
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                                        U
                                        User_f329d3da
                                        PARTICIPANT
                                        March 10, 2025 at 11:04 am
                                        There are many temples in kerala coming up in this route.. No one cares.. Most of these temples doesn’t run well either

                                      • #38317 Reply
                                        Silentthinker3482
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                                          Silentthinker3482
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                                          March 10, 2025 at 11:18 am
                                          Brilliant!! Pitch it on Shark Tank India

                                        • #38316 Reply
                                          Shachiseeker740
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                                            Shachiseeker740
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                                            March 10, 2025 at 11:32 am
                                            She’s doing karma farming

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