A storm of protests has erupted across Bengaluru after the state Muzrai Department issued a notice to seize control of the centuries-old Gali Anjaneyaswamy Mandir in Byatarayanapura on Mysore Road. This revered shrine has stood as a symbol of faith and devotion for generations of devotees.
Condemning the state government’s move, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya has called it an assault on Hindu religious institutions and warned of widespread agitation until the decision is reversed. “This is a direct injustice against Hindu Mandirs. The Gali Anjaneyaswamy Mandir, which has a history spanning hundreds of years, belongs to the devotees, not the state treasury. The government’s decision to take it under its control on flimsy allegations of misuse is completely unacceptable,” Surya declared while addressing reporters in the city.
According to the Treasury Department’s report, the Mandir’s management is alleged to have mishandled money over the years. Due to allegations, the government is to invoke Sections 42 and 43 of the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997, to declare the Mandir a “Notified Institution.”
However, devotees, community leaders, and legal experts argue that the government’s justification is weak and that it has shown no genuine interest in investigating or reforming management through fair means. Instead, Hindu leaders claim the state is eyeing the Mandir’s substantial revenue to fill its coffers while leaving genuine governance loopholes and corruption in other sectors untouched.
MP Surya expressed outrage
MP Tejasvi Surya lashed out at the Congress-led state government, accusing it of systematically targeting Hindu Mandirs. “Why does this so-called secular government only intervene in Hindu places of worship? If the administration has the courage, let it take over churches and mosques where allegations of misuse have surfaced too. But they will not touch them — they know they can bully Hindu devotees with impunity,” he thundered.
Surya further alleged that the government’s mishandling of public money in other departments goes unchecked.
“When there are scams worth crores in various departments, this government looks the other way. But the moment a Hindu Mandir generates income that helps run community programs and festivals, they rush to take it over. This is nothing but an anti-Hindu agenda in the guise of transparency.”
He called upon devotees not to panic or feel demoralised, assuring them of an all-out legal battle. “The Mandir is not the government’s private property. It belongs to Lord Anjaneya and His devotees. We will challenge this draconian move in court. Our fight will continue in the streets and the courts until this decision is withdrawn,” he vowed.
Historic shrine
The Gali Anjaneyaswamy Mandir, which attracts thousands of devotees daily, is not just a religious site but a cultural landmark. Local devotees say it has stood as a beacon of devotion, charity, and service, supporting rituals, feeding programs, and community welfare through its donations. Many feel the government’s move is an insult to centuries of tradition and a blatant attempt to interfere in religious affairs.
Several Hindu organisations, Mandir sants, and citizens have already begun mobilising protests and signature campaigns. Activists have warned that attempts to seize Mandirs will only deepen mistrust between the Hindu community and the government.
This controversy has yet again reignited the wider debate about government control over Hindu Mandirs while minority religious institutions are left to manage their affairs. Many see it as an assault on the freedom of worship and religious autonomy guaranteed by the Constitution.
At a time when Mandirs are meant to be nurtured and preserved as centres of spiritual and cultural identity, the state’s attempt to capture a historic shrine under the pretext of financial mismanagement is nothing short of outrageous. Devotees demand that if corruption is proven, individuals should be held accountable, not the Mandir taken away from the people who have sustained it for generations.
The coming days are likely to witness intensifying protests and legal challenges as devotees, religious leaders, and public representatives gear up for a battle to protect the sanctity and independence of the Gali Anjaneyaswamy Mandir. For countless devotees, this fight is not just about one Mandir — it is about defending the soul of India’s living heritage from unwarranted political overreach.
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