In a controversial move, the state legislative assembly has once again passed the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Bill, 2024.

This comes after the bill faced a setback in the legislative council last week, when it was defeated by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Janata Dal Secular (JDS) combine.

The bill, aimed at collecting funds from temples with an annual income exceeding Rs 10 lakh, was reconsidered and subsequently passed by the legislative assembly on Thursday (29 February).

It will now proceed to the Governor for final approval, after which it will become law.

Piloting the bill in the assembly, Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy emphasised the importance of its passage, highlighting its previous defeat in the council.

Speaker U T Khader then facilitated a vote, resulting in the bill's passage by a voice vote.

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It's important to note that the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to regulate the financial affairs of Hindu religious institutions.

The amendment proposes to collect a percentage of income from temples for the Common Pool Fund, administered by the 'Rajya Dharmika Parishath,' to allegedly support the upkeep of state-controlled temples.

However, the bill has sparked controversy and opposition from the BJP and JD(S), who were absent during its passage in the assembly due to a walkout earlier in the day.

They have criticised the ruling Congress, alleging an attempt to utilise temple funds for political gain.

The Congress, on the other hand, has defended the bill, pointing out a similar amendment made in 2011 aimed at collecting funds from high-income Hindu shrines.

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