Why Only Tax Temples?: Karnataka Governor Refuses to Sign Temple Tax Bill

Bengaluru: In a big setback for Karnataka government, Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot has refused to sign Temple Tax bill Bill, questioning as to why only Hindu temples are being taxed. Emphasising that it is discriminatory to only a particular religion, he noted that all religious bodies should be taxed under bill.

In an embarrassment over Religious Endowment Bill, Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot withdrew Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charities Bill.

governor questioned wher or religious organisations will be included in this bill.  governor furr questioned wher state government has any concept of making any act on model of this bill by including amendment brought in relation to Hindu religious institutions.

Governor issued state government with a direction to re-submit file with clarifications.

Refusal of Governor to sign amendment bill mandates that 'general collection fund' accumulated in rich temples under jurisdiction of Mujarai department be used for non-revenue 'C' category temples.

bill mandated a 10 per cent tax on cash-rich Hindu temples.

bill proposed to collect 5 per cent from temples whose gross income is between Rs 10 lakhs and less than Rs 1 crore. For temples whose annual income is above Rs 1 crore, state government would collect 10 per cent of funds. proposal was a part of state government’s ‘Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Bill 2024’, mandating state government to charge 10 per cent tax from temples generating revenue exceeding Rs 1 crore and 5 per cent from shrines with revenue of between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore. bill also sought creation of state-level and district-level committees to "scrutinize, review and submit" proposals on infrastructure development for pilgrims.

bill sparked a huge controversy in Karnataka, with opposition BJP alleging that Siddaramaiah dispensation is indulged in rolling out "anti-Hindu" policies.