Gujarat’s Salangpur Hanuman Temple Faces Backlash Over Trademark and Copyright Claims on Idol

A significant controversy has emerged in Gujarat’s Botad district surrounding the Salangpur Hanuman Temple after the temple trust obtained copyright and trademark registrations for the temple’s iconic 54-foot "King of Salangpur" Hanuman statue and the sacred idol of Hanumanji accompanied by 13 monkeys inside the sanctum sanctorum.

The temple administration asserts that these intellectual property protections are intended to preserve the shrine’s spiritual identity and prevent commercial exploitation of its religious imagery. Officials cited increasing unauthorized use of the temple’s images, logos, and three-dimensional representations by individuals and businesses for commercial gain without permission.

According to temple authorities, the trademark and copyright registrations were secured following a six-month legal process guided by experts, culminating in official approval on June 9. The trust emphasized that the registrations aim solely to protect the divine forms of Kashtabhanjan Dev Hanumanji Maharaj and to safeguard the temple’s heritage for future generations.

Under the new legal framework, any person or entity wishing to manufacture or sell merchandise featuring the "King of Salangpur" idol—including items such as T-shirts, keychains, pendants, photo frames, or replicas—must obtain prior written consent from the temple trust. The protections also extend to the temple’s logo and exclusive artwork, restricting their commercial use across digital platforms, including social media and YouTube.

Temple officials argue that these measures will help combat counterfeit religious products and allow devotees to distinguish authentic offerings from unauthorized merchandise marketed under the Salangpur name. Local artisans and traders producing devotional products related to the idol are also required to secure official licenses from the trust.

Defending the decision, temple representatives told local media, "The image and logo were being misused in many places, and commercial exploitation had increased significantly. Therefore, obtaining trademark protection became necessary. The process had been underway for the last six months and was completed through the prescribed legal procedure in Delhi. After approval was received on June 9, all certificates were respectfully offered at Dada's feet."

However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from prominent religious figures across Gujarat. Mahamandaleshwar Akhileshwar Dasji questioned the legitimacy of claiming exclusive legal rights over divine forms, stating that gods and goddesses belong to all devotees and cannot be controlled by any single organization or sect.

Rajkot-based saint Baba Jyotirnath Maharaj condemned the registrations, asserting that deities of Sanatan Dharma cannot be confined within the legal frameworks of trademarks and intellectual property rights. He emphasized that any attempt diminishing the sanctity of divine forms is unacceptable.

Mahant Sukhramdas Bapu of Junagadh’s Khakhimadi Ashram also voiced concerns, warning against associating copyright protection with God and urging reconsideration of the broader implications of the temple trust’s decision.

As opposition intensifies, several religious leaders from the Sanatan tradition have demanded that the temple trust withdraw all intellectual property registrations related to the idol and its trademarks. Some have threatened protests and boycott campaigns should the trust fail to reverse its decision.

This dispute highlights the complex intersection of intellectual property law and religious sentiments in India, raising questions about the scope of legal protections over sacred symbols and the rights of religious communities versus commercial interests.

The Salangpur Hanuman Temple trust’s move to legally protect its iconic idol marks a rare instance of asserting intellectual property rights over a religious figure, setting a precedent that may influence similar cases involving religious heritage and commercialization across the country.