Controversy Surrounds Hindu Religious Endowment Bill in Karnataka Assembly

VoM News Desk | February 24, 2024 | 10:01 AM IST | India, Karnataka, Politics | Follow on Google News

Controversy Surrounds Hindu Religious Endowment Bill in Karnataka Assembly/ANI

Controversy Surrounds Hindu Religious Endowment Bill in Karnataka Assembly

The Congress faced a setback as it failed to pass the Hindu Religious Endowment Amendment Bill in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly due to a lack of government strength in the State’s Council.

Despite a 10-minute adjournment, opposition pressure and the absence of ruling party members led to the bill’s defeat. Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy, yielding to opposition demands, pledged to reintroduce the bill on Monday, sparking objections from the Deputy Chairman of Karnataka Legislative Council, Pranesh.

Bill Defeat and Unruly Scenes in Assembly

As proceedings resumed, the Congress pushed for a vote on the Religious Endowment Bill, but the absence of ruling party members resulted in more votes against the bill. The legislative chaos saw BJP members chanting ‘Jai Shree Ram,’ while Congress members responded with ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai.’ The defeat prompted discussions about the controversial amendments to the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Bill.

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Government Ministers Defend Amendments Amid Criticism

Amid criticisms of the amendments, ministers Ramalinga Reddy and Dinesh Gundu Rao defended the decision, accusing the opposition BJP of being ‘anti-Hindu.’ Reddy claimed that the BJP, in power in 2011, had made similar amendments to the Bill.

Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasized that the Bill aimed at benefiting temples, urging the BJP to recognize its positive impact.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed allegations of misrepresentation, stating they were aimed at misleading the public and creating communal divides for political gain.

The amendments, proposing a state-mandated collection of 10% tax from temples with revenue exceeding Rs 1 crore and 5% from shrines with revenue between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore, continue to stir controversy in Karnataka.

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