Debate on ‘liberating’ temples

Even before the debate on the controversial Right to Freedom of Religion in Karnataka Bill, 2021 (known as the Anti-Conversion Bill) and its passage in the Upper House of the Legislature was completed, the BJP government in Karnataka announced that it would Bringing in a law to free temples from government control during the budget of Rs. This could lead to another round of political turmoil. This is being seen as another RSS-backed initiative by the BJP government.

The demand to free Hindu temples in Karnataka from the purview of the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997 (Muzrai Act) has grown especially loudly following a misinformation campaign, allegedly by Hindutva groups, that gathered in temples. The money raised is being “diverted” to “non-Hindu religious institutions”. This continues despite the department’s clarification that the ‘tasaeeq’ amount for the maintenance of non-Hindu religious places, when land reforms are implemented in the state. To compensate religious institutions that have lost their reward land, comes from the government, not the government. Temple collections. The ‘diversion’ of money collected in temples, if any, for the development of ‘C’ category temples prospered Temples. The department provides ₹60,000 annually from devotees to perform daily rituals in low-income temples. It has 34,559 temples under its control, of which 190 temples (earning more than Rs.25 lakh annually) ) and 163 temples (between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 25 lakh annually) classified as ‘A’ and ‘B’ or has gone. 34,206 temples with an annual income of less than ₹5 lakh are classified as ‘C’ and are certified.

Politically, the move is expected to help the ruling BJP. The story of freeing temples from government control has gained momentum in other parts of the country as well. The Congress, which is in a tussle with the government over the Anti-Conversion Bill and the Anti-Cow Slaughter Bill, will vehemently oppose the temple collection story while fighting the BJP in the elections. subsequent years.

The proposed law comes at a time when several powerful religious monasteries across the state have shown interest in taking over ancient temples, some of which reportedly have high incomes with a steady flow of devotees. This has raised apprehensions about social exclusion in temple management and activities and the takeover of temple management by caste groups. It has also raised concerns that the move will only benefit rich temples, while more than 34,000 temples with low income may remain with the government. Interestingly, the Karnataka Federation of Archaka and Agamika of Hindu temples have opposed the proposal as they are insecure about their positions if the government goes ahead with the law.

Though BJP insiders who insist on the law argue that the liberated temples will be managed by trustees who will bring in transparency and greater accountability, there are apprehensions to the contrary. For example, at least three very popular temples run by private trusts in Bengaluru have been taken over by the Muzrai department in recent years after a section of trustees alleged alleged financial and administrative mismanagement.

It is not yet clear whether the trust will be entrusted with the responsibility of the land of the temple buildings and the temple ornaments. The combined assets of all the Muzrai temples are said to be around ₹1 lakh crore, though an audit is yet to be done. The details of the proposed law are unclear but what is clear is that the Bommai government is keen to implement the proposal.

sharath.srivatsa@thehindu.co.in