Karnataka govt to bring temples above law; Congress terms it 'historic blunder'

Karnataka government will bring in a law aimed at freeing Hindu temples from laws and rules that control them at present, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. The government would also constitute a Special Task Force for implementing the Anti-Conversion Bill, once it becomes a law.

Hubballi (Karnataka):Karnataka government will bring in a law aimed at freeing Hindu temples from laws and rules that control them at present, disclosed Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. The chief minister also said that the government would constitute a Special Task Force for implementing the Anti-Conversion Bill, once it becomes a law.

"Our seniors have informed me about places of worship of other communities are safe under different laws and they are free to practice. But, our Hindu temples have been subjected to various controls and government laws and rules. There is a system under which permission has to be sought from higher officials to even utilise temple revenues for its own development," Bommai said.

Addressing the state BJP executive here, he said "It is the wish of our elders that Hindu temples be freed from such controls and laws."

"I want to tell this executive that our government will bring in a law to this effect before the budget session. We will free our temples from such laws and conditions. Other than regulation, there won't be anything else. We will ensure that they are managed independently," he added.

Taking a dig at Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah for his comments that the Congress would repeal the proposed anti-conversion legislation immediately after coming to power, the Chief Minister said, "His dream will never come true and for this very reason you (Congress) will not come to power."

"The anti-conversion legislation, that provides for the protection of the right to freedom of religion, will remain as long as the sun and moon are there," he added.

Historic blunder, says Congress

The Congress Karnataka unit president D. K Shivakumar, meanwhile, described the BJP government's plans to free Hindu temples from state control as a historic blunder and said that his party won't allow it.

He said the temples that are currently owned by the government were the state's wealth and its treasury.

"They are doing a historic blunder, how can Muzrai or government temples be given to local people for administration? It is the wealth of the government, wealth of the treasury, crores of rupees are collected by these temples. What political stand are they trying to take looking at some other states?" Shivakumar asked.

Speaking to reporters, he said it cannot be done in Karnataka and Congress will not allow it.

"On January 4 we are having a meeting of all senior Congress leaders, during which we will discuss this and come out with our stand," he added.

This is seen as another major move by the Bommai government after it got the contentious "Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021", popularly known as the 'anti-conversion bill', passed in the Assembly during the recent session.

The Bill, however, is yet to become a law as it is pending for tabling and passage in the Council. Stating that the government has been able to give momentum to the anti-conversion bill that had been pending for a long time, Bommai said it is because the BJP was committed to it.

"By ensuring that the anti-conversion bill becomes an Act in the days to come, I will also constitute a Special Task Force for its implementation," he said.

Khushboo calls it important decision

Actress and Tamil Nadu BJP leader Khushboo Sundar praised the Karnataka BJP government for taking a stand to free the temples from the control of the government authorities.

"It is an extremely important decision as every other religious institution is free except temples," she said, standing in support of the Chief Minister's decision.

There is a similar demand before the Tamil Nadu government. "We have been keenly watching the stand of Tamil Nadu government and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. The assurance of freeing temples from state control was given during the election campaigning in Tamil Nadu," she stated.