In a controversial move yesterday, on February 21st, the Karnataka state Congress government approved sweeping amendments to the Karnataka Temple Endowment Act, sparking widespread outrage among Hindu communities and religious leaders. The amendments, introduced in the Karnataka Assembly by the Congress-led government, have raised concerns about the misappropriation of temple funds for non-Hindu purposes. The Congress government, known for its consistent adoption of anti-Hindu policies in the state, has now turned its attention towards the revenue of Hindu temples, passing the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments amendments bill.

The new bill was presented and approved in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.

What are the new amendments?

1. Temples with an annual income exceeding 1 crore rupees are mandated to contribute 10% of their income to a common pool fund.
2. Temples generating income between 10 lakhs and 1 crore rupees are required to allocate 5% of their earnings to the same common pool fund.
3. Section 19(A) permits the utilization of funds from the common pool for any “poor and needy organization,” raising questions about transparency and accountability.
4. Section 25 allows for the appointment of members from other religions to the management committees of composite institutions, thereby diluting the traditional Hindu management structures. The amendments not only infringe upon the autonomy of Hindu temples but also threaten the centuries-old traditions and practices associated with temple governance. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the lack of clarity regarding the selection process for organizations deemed “poor and needy,” leading to fears of potential misuse and allocation of funds to minorities.

Last week, the Congress government made a decision to allocate 393 crores to Islamists and Christians, mainly for the Waqf properties. Even before they announced funds for the protection of Waqf properties, many believe that these amendments signal a dangerous precedent of interference in Hindu religious affairs, undermining the secular fabric of the state and fostering religious tensions.

The Congress-led government’s decision to push through these amendments has drawn condemnation from various quarters, with calls for immediate reconsideration and revision of the controversial provisions. Hindu leaders and organizations have vowed to challenge the amendments through legal and democratic means, seeking to protect the sanctity and integrity of Hindu temples across Karnataka.