Bengaluru/Mysuru: Despite stiff opposition, the State Government has decided to bring in all Hindu religious mutts and educational institutions run by them under its (Muzrai Department) purview. The issue rocked the Assembly this morning with the BJP and JD(S) staging a walkout. A protest was held in front of the Law Courts in Mysuru too this morning against the government move.
The BJP and JD(S) Legislators questioned the government move to control Mutts and curb religious freedom. The government has invited public opinion in this regard. The public notice has been issued by the Muzrai Department inviting suggestions from stakeholders on whether Hindu Mutts, temples and religious institutions should come under the control of Religious Endowment Act. This has angered the BJP and the JD(S).
Calling it an attempt to bring Mutts and temples under its control, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar urged CM Siddharamaiah to drop the process immediately. “The move will force revered seers to stand in queue in front of the department with petitions,” he said, describing it as an “anti-Hindu policy.”
He challenged Siddharamaiah to take over Masjids, Dargahs and Churches.
Sources in the Government said that religious mutts and temples that have so far remained outside the ambit of the government and changes are being made in Muzrai Act to bring them under government control.
A seven-member committee is in the process of suggesting comprehensive changes in the Act. The committee is looking into religious institutions under the purview of the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, popularly known as Muzrai Act.
The committee is headed by advocate and Karnataka Rajya Dharmika Parishad member N.K. Jagannivas Rao.
The committee will seek the views of temple administrators, staff, priests and devotees as well. It will study how the issue is being handled smoothly in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala and will look at reducing interference of the government by empowering local committees.
In fact, non-inclusion of Mutts and temples and keeping away Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs from the definition of “Hindus” had led a Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court to strike down the 2011 and 2012 Amendments brought to the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997. Terming the exclusion as “illegal and discriminatory”, the High Court had struck down amendments in 2015.
Even the 1997 Act was stuck down by the HC in 2006 on the same grounds that Mutts have been kept outside the purview, but the Apex Court stayed a portion of the High Court’s ruling.
Sjf:
Why is it correct for the government to control Hindu religious establishments like temples, mutts while the Christian and Muslim religious establishments are free of government control? Under secularism all religions are supposed to be treated equally. What do the secular crowd say about this?
Ours is a secular democracy! So, the majority has to make sure minority religions are comfortable! Also temples and mutts have a lot of public wealth accumulated and hoarded by a few individuals! These funds can be put to better use in serving the public! In fact, the wealth in one Padmanabha swamy temple was worth a few billion dollars! If governent can use that money, we can have better harmony across different religions!
Also, the suggestion that Christian and Muslim religious bodies need not be subjected to any government control because it gives agaist the spirit of secularism!
Whilst the irregularities in Mutts and temples, if found must be set right, since independence, from Nehru downwards the Muslim religion and their bodies have been given exceptionally good treatment. Soon after independence, the argument put forward by bthat arch secularist Nehru was that Muslim religion was a minority religion and needed protection. Now , India has arguably the second/third largest Muslim population in the world-not a minority religion! Treat all religions the same including abolishing Muslim personal laws and the personal laws should applyb to every Indian citizen , regardless of religious affiliation.