New Delhi: The Union Government has dismissed speculation that it plans to monetise or bring into the market gold held by temples, trusts and other religious institutions across the country.
The clarification came after discussions gained momentum following the government’s recent appeal to citizens to avoid buying gold for a year. Social media posts then claimed that the Centre could target gold lying in homes and temples. The Finance Ministry has rejected these claims, calling them false, misleading and completely baseless.
The ministry made it clear that the government has no intention of monetising gold held by temple trusts or any religious institutions. It also denied claims that gold used on temple domes, doors or other structures could be treated as part of India’s strategic gold reserve.
Officials urged citizens not to believe or circulate unverified information, warning that such rumours create unnecessary confusion and mislead the public. The ministry said any policy-related decision or government scheme would be communicated only through official press releases, government websites and verified public communication platforms.
The debate around temple gold remains significant because India’s temples and households are believed to hold massive quantities of the precious metal. While there is no official government estimate of total gold held by temples, various reports and experts have placed the figure at around 3,000 to 4,000 tonnes. In comparison, the official gold reserve with the Indian government and the Reserve Bank of India is around 880 tonnes.
For now, the Centre’s message is clear: temple gold is not on the government’s monetisation agenda, and citizens should rely only on verified official information.