The BJP’s Hindutva agenda has been a priority in the Budget presented by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday, with focus on temples and cow protection.
Sticking to his word at the BJP State executive meet in December 2021, Mr. Bommai said, “Autonomy will be given to temples coming under the purview of the Endowment Department. Necessary legal action will be taken to delegate the discretion of developmental works to the temples.” While many Hindutva groups have been lobbying for the complete abolition of the Endowment Department, the Budget proposes autonomy for temple trusts within the department’s ambit.
The Budget earmarked ₹100 crore for the development of Anjanadri Hill in Koppal, believed to be the “birth place” of Anjaneya, as a tourist destination with ropeway facilities for the hill. Mr. Bommai has championed the project and positioned it in relation to Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. He had also announced that the temple would be developed by the time Ram Mandir comes up in Ayodhya and said he would get Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the temple works.
