Karnataka withdraws controversial circular to temples

After coming under flak from various quarters, the BJP Government in Karnataka has withdrawn its controversial order directing all the temples coming under the Religious Endowment Department to conduct poojas in the name of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.

Briefing reporters after a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Minister for Rural Development Shobha Karandlaje said the circular issued by the Religious Endowment Department has been withdrawn at the behest of the Chief Minister.

“The order was issued without the knowledge of the Chief Minister and he is not happy with such an order”, Karandlaje said.

The controversial order issued by Religious Endowment Minister Krishnaiah Chetty had asked the priests of all the 36,000 temples falling under the Government’s purview to hold rituals for the welfare of the state in the name of the Chief Minister and the Government.

After the Opposition parties and progressive groups raised a hue and cry over the matter claiming the move bordered on sycophancy, the Cabinet meeting held on Thursday discussed the controversial circular in length. A red-faced Chief Minister is understood to have given a sound tongue-lashing to Krishnaiah Chetty for his “immature” decision.

Though a few Ministers attending the Cabinet meeting cited a few precedents to justify Chetty’s order, Yeddyurappa was firm that the order should be withdrawn with immediate effect.

It may be mentioned here that Chetty had issued a circular directing the priests to hold rituals every day in all the 36,000 temples of the Religious Endowment Department for the welfare of the people of the state in the name of Chief Minister and the Government.

However, the Opposition Congress saw red over the move and had sought for its immediate withdrawal. Congress party’s spokesperson V S Ugrappa said the Government direction to temples to hold prayers in the name of the Chief Minister was against the secular spirit of the Constitution.

“This is gross misuse of Government machinery for personal gain. It is also a clear indication of the BJP’s hidden agenda”, Ugrappa had said.