Row Erupts Over Karnataka Temple Tax Bill, BJP Calls Congress 'Anti-Hindu'
NEW DELHI: A political firestorm has erupted in Karnataka over a bill that allows the state government to charge temples a chunk of their revenues.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah-led state government passed 'Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Bill 2024' in the state assembly which mandates the government to collect 10 per cent from temples that have revenue exceeding Rs 1 crore and 5 per cent which have revenue between Rs 10 lakhs to Rs 1 crore.
The bill has triggered a war of words between the ruling Congress and its staunch rival BJP, with the latter accusing the Siddaramaiah's dispensation of rolling out "Anti-Hindu" policies
The BJP criticised the state government, accusing it of implementing 'Anti-Hindu' policies. BJP's state president Vijayendra Yediyurappa alleged that the government passed the bill to replenish its depleted coffers.
The Congress government, which is adopting consistently anti-Hindu policies in the state, has now taken a crooked look at the revenue of Hindu temples and passed the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments bill to fill its empty coffers," he said on X.
"Under this, the government will collect 10% of the income from temples earning over Rs 1 crore, this is nothing but poverty. The offering dedicated by the devotees for the knowledge of God and the development of the temple should be allocated for the renovation of the temple and for the convenience of the devotees. If it is allocated for another purpose, it is on the divine beliefs of the people. There will be violence and fraud," he added.
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