Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy defends Temple service fee hike, calls BJP ‘fake Dharmarakshak’
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Karnataka Transport and Excise Minister Ramalinga Reddy fired strong criticism at the previous BJP government on Sunday, accusing it of hiking worship service fees in 24 Hindu temples across the state from 2019 to 2023. He called the move the height of “intellectual decadence” and a sneaky way to mislead people under the guise of religion.
Reddy labeled the BJP leaders as “fake protectors of faith” in a pointed statement. He stressed that under the current Congress-led administration, the government stays out of temple service fee decisions entirely.
Out of Karnataka’s 35,554 temples, just 14 have seen a fee increase recently—and that came at the direct request of their own management boards. Reddy pointed out that these fees hadn’t been updated in 7 to 15 years, and the temple committees themselves approved the changes. The extra money will go straight back into maintaining and upgrading those temples.
He went further, slamming the BJP for turning religious matters into political tools for their own gain. “I hope BJP leaders, who pose as pro-Hindu but keep fooling people with religion, drop the act,” Reddy said. “May God grant them the wisdom to stop stirring up divisions between faiths.”
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions in Karnataka politics over religion and community issues. Earlier, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi hit back at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, blasting the state’s upcoming caste survey as a plot to split the Hindu community along caste lines.
Speaking to reporters, Joshi questioned the Congress party’s track record. “Congress is always anti-Hindu and stirs up trouble,” he said. “Have you ever heard of Lingayat Christians, Brahmin Christians, or Dalit Christians? Siddaramaiah, guided by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, is an ultra-leftist and anti-Hindu. Their real goal is to divide Hindus by caste and creed.”
Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stepped in to calm concerns about the caste survey, set to run from September 22 to October 7. He assured everyone that the state government will sort out all related issues smoothly.
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