After the Congress government in Karnataka approved the “Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Bill 2024” in the state assembly on Wednesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party dubbed the government “anti-Hindu.”
The bill gives the government the authority to tax temples that earn more than ₹1 crore (10 percent) and those that earn between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore (5 percent).
The president of the Karnataka BJP, Vijayendra Yediyurappa, claimed that the Congress government intended to implement anti-Hindu measures to replenish its empty 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 stated on X.
He declared that “another purpose” would be served by the money raised.
“This is nothing more than poverty; under it, the government will take 10% of temples’ earnings exceeding ₹1 crore. The contributions made by devotees for the advancement of the temple and their understanding of God ought to go towards both the temple’s refurbishment and the devotees’ comfort. If it is used for any other reason, it is according to the people’s divine beliefs. Violence and fraud are to be expected,” he continued.
Yediyurappa questioned why other religions were not being targeted, just Hindu temples.
Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy responded to the comments by accusing the BJP of integrating religion into politics. According to him, the Congress is the real defender of Hinduism.
It is evident, Sri Vijayendra Yediyurappa, that the BJP constantly seeks political advantage by accusing the Congress of being anti-Hindu. But since Congress administrations have continuously defended Hindu interests and temples throughout the years, we, the Congress, believe that we are the real champions of Hinduism,” he declared.
“Did your BJP government fail to fulfil its obligations from 2019 to 2023 and from 2008 to 2013? Despite acts or bills being in place since 2001, it appears they chose to ignore the income from Hindu religious institutions and philanthropic endowments,” he continued.
