What Is Tax On Temples? Why Is Karnataka BJP Calling Congress As 'Anti-Hindu'?

The Karnataka government recently passed the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment bill, mandating a 10% tax on the income of temples exceeding Rs 1 crore.

What is Temple Tax?

The Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment bill is a legislation passed by the Karnataka government that mandates the collection of 10 percent of the income from Hindu temples with revenues exceeding Rs 1 crore. The bill aims to regulate the management and finances of Hindu religious institutions and charitable endowments in the state. It requires these institutions to contribute a portion of their income to the government for specific purposes, such as the upliftment of economically weaker priests, the development of C-grade temples, and the provision of quality education to children of priests.

Under the newly introduced provisions -

1. Temples with an annual income exceeding one crore rupees are required to contribute 10 per cent of their earnings to a 'Common Pool Fund' (CPF).
2. Similarly, temples earning between Rs.10 lakh and rupees one crore annually are mandated to contribute 5 per cent of their income to the same fund.

Temple Tax Purpose:

The government claims the collected funds will be used for "dharmic parishad" purposes, which include:

• Uplifting the economic status of priests
• Improving the condition of C-grade temples (temples considered to be in poor condition)
• Providing quality education to children of priests

However, the bill has been met with criticism from some quarters, particularly the BJP, who allege that it is part of the state government's "anti-Hindu policies" and raises concerns about potential misuse of the funds collected.

Controversy over Temple Tax

The BJP criticised the Congress-led Karnataka government for this bill, accusing it of pursuing "anti-Hindu policies" and expressing concerns about potential fund misuse.

Vijayendra Yediyurappa, the BJP's Karnataka unit president, criticised the Congress government, alleging that it was attempting to replenish its funds through this bill. He questioned why the state government was only targeting Hindu temples for revenue collection, neglecting other religious structures.

"The question on the minds of millions of devotees is why only Hindu temples are being targeted and not the income of other religious places," he wrote on X.

In response, Karnataka's transport minister and Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy dismissed the BJP's claims, clarifying, "The government isn't taking the money; it will be used for 'dharmic parishad' purposes."

He further explained that during the BJP's tenure, a similar practice was implemented, where 5 percent was collected from temples with incomes between Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, and 10 percent from those above Rs 25 lakh. These funds were utilised for the welfare of economically weaker priests, the development of C-grade temples, and providing quality education to priests' children.