The BJP leaders are “misleading the public” on the issue of proposed amendments to the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997, said both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The latter said that the Bill would eventually be passed.
Speaking to presspersons at Banavara in Arsikere taluk on Saturday, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the amendments were proposed with the interest of strengthening smaller Hindu temples. “The amount collected from the temples with good revenue will be utilised only for Hindu temples. It will not be used for temples of any other religion. However, the BJP defeated the amendment bill in the council because they enjoyed a majority there,” he said.
Reacting to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi’s allegation that the government was “looting Hindu temples’ revenue”, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that the people, in fact, had rejected the BJP government because they were looting the public. “The people have made them sit in the Opposition because of their corruption,” he said.
