After the Karnataka government presented its state budget, a series of social media posts have been circulating, accusing the government of bias in fund allocation against Hindus. One post asserts that the state government allocated 330 crores to the Waqf and Christian communities but neglected to allocate anything for Hindus. Another post suggests that the funds allocated to minorities were sourced from the earnings of Hindu temples. This article aims to fact-check the assertions made in these posts.
Claim: The Karnataka government allocated funds for minorities but not for Hindus; these funds for minorities were drawn from the earnings of Hindu temples.
Fact: According to the Hindu Endowment Acts in force in Karnataka, the funds collected from the Hindu temples must be spent only on Hindu temples and related matters. According to these laws, the present government has also made allocations to Hindu religious endowments. Hence, the claim made in the post is Misleading.
On 16 February 2024, the Karnataka government unveiled the budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, earmarking funds, including Rs. 100 crores for the conservation and restoration of Waqf properties, Rs. 200 crores for the development of the Christian community, and allocating Rs. 393 crores for programs through the minorities’ development corporation, as outlined in the viral posts.
Additionally, funds were designated for the construction of the Haj Bhavan in Mangalore and the fee reimbursement of minority students, among other initiatives. In addition to Muslims and Christians, the government allocated funds to other minority communities such as Sikhs, Jains, and others. These allocations were made under the Minorities Welfare category.
Allocations were made to Hindu endowments :
However, in contrast to the viral assertion, the Karnataka government also allocated funds for Hindu temples and religious activities. Funds were designated for the construction of residential complexes at pilgrimage destinations like Thirumala, Srishaila, Varanasi, etc. Allocations were made for the tasdik amount to be paid to the priests of all 29,523 ‘C’ category temples. Details about the allocations made toward Hindu religious endowments can be reviewed here and here.
Contrary to the viral assertion, the government did not allocate funds for minorities from the revenues of Hindu temples. According to the existing endowment acts within the state (The Hindu Religious Institutions And Charitable Endowments Act, 1997), earnings from Hindu temples are mandated to be used solely for Hindu religious activities and not for other purposes.
This is explicitly stated in the endowment act, indicating that regardless of the governing party, the revenue generated by Hindu temples must be dedicated solely to Hindu activities and not diverted elsewhere. In response to the viral assertion regarding the budget allocations suggesting a transfer of funds from Hindu temples to other communities, the relevant state minister clarified that endowment funds will exclusively support Hindu temples.
To sum it up, no, the Karnataka government did not allocate funds to minorities from Hindu temples’ income.
