Will Muzrai delink go the Jaggi way?

‘‘We are not handing over temples to anyone, we are only freeing them from the government regimen”

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: Even before 2022 could begin, the Basavaraj Bommai government has run into a controversy of its own making by trying to take a leaf out of Jaggi Vasudev’s book and free temples from the shackles of the Muzrai department. Congress insiders who see the issue as “a gift that keeps on giving”, has grabbed the opportunity, accusing the ruling party of wanting to hand over temple management to BJP workers.

The State Government’s decision to free temples from Government control has become a point of contention between BJP and Congress leaders who have already locked horns over the contentious Anti-conversion bill.

“It is an insult to lakhs of devotees. This is aimed at giving away Muzrai controlled temples to private persons and individuals. God will not forgive them and he will curse them”, roared KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar in Bengaluru on Friday. He told the media that the issue would be discussed in a meeting of senior party leaders on January 4. The Congress will not let this happen at any cost, he added.

The campaign to free Hindu temples from government control was first mooted by spiritual leader Jaggi Vasudev in Tamil Nadu. He had asked why Hindu temples were under government control when churches and mosques came under the ambit of their respective religious bodies. This had generated a lot of debate in Tamil Nadu. The previous AIADMK government favoured Jaggi’s suggestions but lost power in the Assembly elections.