Siddaramaiah stated allegations relating to the amendments to the invoice “appear to be misrepresented”.

Bengaluru:

In a setback for the Congress-led authorities in Karnataka, a invoice that mandated a ten per cent tax on the earnings of temples which have revenues of greater than Rs 1 crore was defeated within the state legislative council late this night. This comes two days after the invoice was handed within the state meeting.

The invoice sparked an enormous controversy in Karnataka with the opposition BJP accusing the Congress of implementing ‘Anti-Hindu’ insurance policies.

The National Democratic Alliance led by the BJP has extra numbers than the ruling authorities within the legislative council or Upper House in Karnataka. The Congress has 30 MLCs, BJP has 35, eight MLCs are from the JD(S) and there may be one impartial candidate. One seat is vacant within the council.

The Karnataka authorities handed ‘Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Amendment Bill 2024’ that mandates the state to gather 10 per cent tax from temples which have revenues exceeding Rs 1 crore and 5 pe rcent from these with revenues ranging between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore.

After flak relating to the federal government’s amendments to the invoice, state ministers Ramalinga Reddy and Dinesh Gundu Rao defended the transfer and criticised the BJP for its opposition to it.

Minister for Transport, Ramalinga Reddy alleging that BJP is “anti-Hindu” claimed that the occasion which was in energy in 2011 had made the amendments to the invoice.

“We are not anti-Hindu. Actually, the BJP is anti-Hindu. This Act came into existence in 2003. In 2011, they made some amendments. At that time, up to Rs 5 lakh, there were about 34,000 temples – they did not give any money for Dharmika Parishad. From Rs 5 Lakhs to Rs 10 Lakhs, there are about 193 ‘B grade’ temples – they have to give 5 per cent. More than Rs 10 Lakhs, there are about 205 temples – they have to give 10 per cent. They approved this amendment in 2011 in the Assembly. Who is anti-Hindu? BJP,” he stated.

Minister for Health Dinesh Gundu Rao stated that the BJP ought to realise the invoice is for the advantage of the temples, alleging that when the federal government is making an attempt to assist smaller temples, the BJP is making an attempt to mislead.

After the invoice was cleared within the decrease home of the state, former Chief Minister and BJP veteran BS Yediyurappa questioned why solely Hindu temples are being scrutinized and never the incomes of different religions.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that the allegations relating to the amendments to the invoice “appear to be misrepresented”, “aiming only at misleading the public” and “polarizing people along communal lines for political leverage.”