Controversial Temple Tax Bill Defeated in Karnataka Legislative Council

GG News Bureau
Bengaluru, 24th Feb. In a setback for the Congress-led government in Karnataka, a contentious bill proposing a 10 per cent tax on the income of temples earning over ₹1 crore was defeated in the state legislative council late yesterday. This development transpired just two days after the bill had been successfully passed in the state assembly, eliciting a wave of controversy across Karnataka.

The bill, officially titled the ‘Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Amendment Bill 2024’, stirred uproar within the state, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vehemently denouncing the Congress for what they labeled as ‘Anti-Hindu’ policies.

Notably, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the BJP commands a numerical advantage over the ruling government in the legislative council, also known as the Upper House, in Karnataka. With 30 MLCs from the Congress, 35 from the BJP, eight from the JD(S), and one independent candidate, the BJP-led alliance prevailed in thwarting the passage of the bill. Additionally, one seat remains vacant in the council.

The proposed legislation mandated a 10 per cent tax on temples generating revenues exceeding ₹1 crore, with a 5 per cent levy on those temples reporting revenues ranging between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore.

In defense of the bill’s amendments, state ministers Ramalinga Reddy and Dinesh Gundu Rao rebuffed BJP’s criticisms and countered with accusations of their own. Minister for Transport, Ramalinga Reddy, accused the BJP of being “anti-Hindu,” citing previous amendments made by the BJP during their tenure in 2011. Minister for Health, Dinesh Gundu Rao, asserted that the bill aimed at aiding smaller temples and lambasted the BJP for alleged attempts to mislead the public.

Former Chief Minister and BJP stalwart BS Yediyurappa questioned the selective scrutiny of Hindu temples’ incomes, contrasting it with the lack of similar scrutiny for other religious institutions. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed allegations of misrepresentation, asserting that the bill’s amendments were being mischaracterized for political gain and to incite communal discord.