Prosperity of temples hinges on freedom from Govt control: CT Ravi

Team Udayavani, Jan 24, 2024, 9:13 AM IST

Udupi: Temples could only prosper if they were freed from government control, said BJP leader and former minister C.T. Ravi on Tuesday. The remarks came in response to the recovery notice issued by the government to priest Hiremagalur Kannan.

According to C.T Ravi, the government’s interference in temple affairs, exemplified by the notice to priest Kannan, is inappropriate. He argued that temples should be managed by society and criticized the government’s control over temple funds.

“They (government) lack devotion to God; they have a love for what’s in the Hundi (donation box). Government control over temples is wrong. The temple should be under the control of the society, property of temple devotees,” he said.

Highlighting the alleged mishandling of Tasthik funds, C.T. Ravi claimed that Kannan should not be asked to return the money and called it an “unforgivable” act. He emphasized the need for public discussion on freeing temples from government control, drawing parallels between the control over temples and the autonomy of mosques and churches.

Muzrai Minister directs officials to withdraw notice

Meanwhile, in response to the controversy, Muzrai Minister R Ramalinga Reddy directed officials to withdraw the recovery notice issued to Kannan. Reddy clarified that previous miscalculations in releasing Tasthik funds had led to the current situation. He stated that Kannan had received excess funds since 2014, and the minister directed the recovery of the excess amount from tahsildars appointed during the 2013-2023 period.

The BJP, including state president B Y Vijayendra, criticized the government’s actions, demanding an immediate withdrawal of the recovery notice.

Minister Reddy assured corrective measures but clarified that the excess amount should be recovered from the responsible tahsildars, not from Kannan.