In a controversial move reminiscent of historical taxation practices, the Congress-led government in Karnataka, under Chief Minister Siddharamaiah, has passed an amendment bill proposing the collection of 10 percent tax from temples with revenues exceeding Rs One crore. The bill, titled the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Bill, 2024, was tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday, February 21.
The proposed amendment has sparked severe criticism and condemnation from Hindu groups, who accuse the government of engaging in rank minority appeasement to secure votes. Drawing parallels to the historic Jizya tax imposed during the Mughal era, critics argue that the amendment unfairly burdens Hindu temples while extending concessions to minority communities.
Under the current framework, the Department of Religious and Charitable Endowments, commonly known as Muzrai, oversees approximately 35,000 Hindu religious institutions that receive grants from the Karnataka government. The administration of these institutions falls under the purview of the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment (amended) Act, 2011.
Controversy surrounds Karnataka’s recent amendments to the Hindu Religious Endowments Act, which now mandates temples with annual incomes exceeding Rs. One crore to contribute 10% to a Common Pool Fund. The amendments, passed on February 21, categorise temples into three groups based on income, sparking debates over their fairness and implications.
Income-Based Categorization
Group A: 205 temples with incomes over Rs.25 lakh annually.
Group B: 193 temples with incomes ranging from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.25 lakhs.
Group C: Approximately 34,000 temples with income below Rs.5 lakh annually.
New Amendments
- Group A temples contribute 10 per cent of their revenue to the Common Pool Fund.
- Group B temples contribute 5 per cent to the Common Pool Fund.
Common Pool Fund money can be utilised for any “poor and needy organisation” under Section 19(A).
In case of composite institutions with members from both Hindu and other religions, appointments may be made to the Management Committee under Section 25.
According to the Minister, the funds collected will be managed by the Rajya Dharmika Parishat, primarily supporting Category C temples and extending welfare measures to the families of associated priests and employees.
Critics argue that these amendments are anti-Hindu, alleging they amount to the looting of temple funds for the benefit of other religious institutions, particularly minorities. Notably, the amendments do not address income generated by Churches and Mosques, which receive subsidies, scholarships, and funding for clerics, employees, Haj pilgrimage, and the maintenance of places of worship. Critics highlight the absence of financial contributions from Churches and Mosques to the government.
The Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched scathing criticism against the Congress government in Karnataka, labeling it as “anti-Hindu” following the passage of the ‘Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Bill 2024′ in the state assembly.
Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra denounced the legislation, accusing the Congress government of adopting consistently anti-Hindu policies. He asserted that the bill, which mandates the collection of 10% of income from temples earning over Rs. 1 crore, is a ploy to fill the government’s coffers at the expense of Hindu devotees.
In a statement on his social media handle X, Vijayendra condemned the government’s actions as indicative of a “corrupt, inept #LootSarkaar” with an agenda of anti-Hindu ideology under the guise of secularism. He alleged that the government’s aim is to siphon off donations and offerings from Hindu temples and religious institutions, diverting them for purposes unrelated to the temple’s welfare or the devotees’ convenience.
Vijayendra raised concerns over the potential for violence and fraud if temple revenues are misappropriated, emphasizing the sacred nature of offerings made by devotees and their intended use for the betterment of the temple and its facilities. He questioned the government’s selective focus on Hindu temples, highlighting the absence of scrutiny on the income of other religious places.
Corrupt, inept #LootSarkaar with its penchant for anti Hindu ideology in the guise of secularism, has cast its evil eyes on the Temple🛕 revenues. Through the Hindu Religious Endowments amendment act, it is trying to siphon off donations as well as offerings from Hindu temples… pic.twitter.com/Vzf9RQTaP4
— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) February 22, 2024
Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa questioned the government’s focus solely on Hindu temples, expressing concern over the targeted taxation while other religious institutions remain untouched. His sentiments were echoed by BJP Karnataka president BY Vijayendra, who condemned the move as evidence of the Congress government’s anti-Hindu agenda.
In response, Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy defended the Congress party’s commitment to Hinduism, refuting allegations of bias and asserting that Congress governments have historically safeguarded Hindu interests.
However, the controversy escalated further, with the Legal Rights Observatory (LRO) characterising the temple tax as akin to the historic Mughal era Jiziya tax, aimed at discouraging Hindus from practicing their religion. The LRO urged Karnataka Hindus to oppose the taxation vehemently, highlighting concerns over religious freedom and equity.
https:/twitter.com/LegalLro/status/1760902681022128403?s=20
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s budget proposals added fuel to the fire, as critics accused the government of prioritising minority appeasement over the welfare of the majority Hindu community. The budget allocation includes significant provisions for the educational, economic, and infrastructural development of minority communities, ranging from the establishment of educational institutions to financial support for self-employment initiatives.
Critics argue that while the budget caters extensively to minority interests, it neglects the concerns of the Hindu community, exemplified by the taxation of Hindu temple revenues and the lack of similar financial assistance for Hindu institutions.
The opposition BJP, led by leaders like KPCC President C.T. Ravi, decried the budget as evidence of non-BJP governments across the country prioritizing minority appeasement over the majority Hindu population’s interests. The BJP accuses such policies of being driven by political motives to secure votes at the expense of Hindu welfare.
As the political debate intensifies, the issue transcends mere budget allocations, touching on broader questions of religious freedom, equitable governance, and electoral dynamics. The Karnataka government’s policies, particularly regarding religious institutions and budgetary allocations, underscore the delicate balance between secular governance and the preservation of cultural and religious identities in a diverse society.
The controversy surrounding the temple tax and budget allocations highlights the deep-seated divisions and political maneuverings that continue to shape Karnataka’s socio-political landscape. Amidst competing interests and ideologies, the debate over minority appeasement versus Hindu welfare remains a contentious and unresolved issue in the state’s political discourse.
