Mangaluru, Dec 22: Former union minister and senior Congress leader B Janardhan Poojary said that the state government had taken the right step by introducing the new Bill which allows the state government to take over religious mutts and temples in the state.
Addressing mediapersons at a press conference here on Monday, he said that the state government would not take over the religious institutions under the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act permanently. As per the amendment to the Act, if any particular mutt or temple is in trouble, the government will intervene in this regard and manage the affairs of the institution until the administration are able to manage it themselves, he informed.
Alleging that the BJP members were trying to spread false information regarding the proposed bill in order to garner opposition to the bill, he said that the government would have the power to intervene and take over the mutts and temples if there were complaints over the incompetency of the management or if there was dispute regarding the right of succession. With the exception of this, the government will not hold possession of the concerned mutt or temple permanently, he stressed.
When asked why the government was proposing to take over merely Hindu religious institutions, the Congress leader said that the bill was being tabled on an experimental basis and it could be extended to other religious institutions in future.
Mr Poojary also alleged that the BJP and Sangh Parivar have fuelled the feeling of hatred among communities by using conversion as a strategy in several states. They are now resorting to converting people by promising them ration cards, homes and a good income, he said, adding that forced conversion was a criminal act.
œThe BJP should remember that only 32 percent of the electorates voted for Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha elections, while 68 percent did not favour him. Where are the promises that Modi declared in his manifesto? Why is he silent when his cabinet ministers are making damaging statements? he demanded.
On the issue of cow slaughter, Mr Poojary clarified that the Congress-led state government had withdrawn only the bill introduced by the previous BJP government in Karnataka. The Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964 continues to exist. The BJP is twisting the reality with its false allegations on the Congress government to fool the people, alleged Mr Poojary.
œDo the Hindus not consume beef? Should Muslims and Christians leave the country or demand for separate one because of this difference? he demanded.
Comments
Add new comment