Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, July 25: Members of various temple management committees have urged the government to initiate legal action against those spreading false narratives that temple hundi (donation box) funds are being diverted for use by other religious groups or credited to the state treasury. These demands were voiced during a consultation meeting held at Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall on Friday, July 25, under the aegis of the Department of Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments, with district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao in attendance.

Speaking at the event, Dinesh Gundu Rao said there is a growing campaign in national television talk shows falsely claiming that temple donations are being spent on non-Hindu causes. “These misleading narratives must be countered with facts by the temple management committees. They must take up the responsibility of educating the public,” he said.

He further emphasized that devotees must not be manipulated for personal or political gains, and temple committees should stay vigilant. “Previously, certified priests were paid Rs 24,000 annually. During the last Congress government, I had raised the issue, and the amount was raised to Rs 48,000. In 2024–25, our government further increased it to Rs 72,000. The concept of ‘Tastik’ was introduced by my father Gundu Rao and has grown steadily since,” he added.

MLC Manjunath Bhandary said that temple premises must be restricted solely to religious and social activities and not used for any other purposes. He suggested that B and C-grade temple committee members should also be issued official ID cards like those of A-grade committees. “Boards must be displayed at temples clarifying that the hundi funds are not diverted for any other purposes or used by the government,” he recommended.

MLC Ivan D’Souza said, “Religion is a medium for spiritual purification and should remain untouched by politics. Management committees must act responsibly in countering baseless accusations.”

Resource person Lakshmish Gabladka remarked that the coastal region remains deeply rooted in religion and spirituality. “Temple traditions must be preserved even amidst modernity. We must also safeguard the uniqueness of our coastal cultural heritage. The diversity within Hindu practices is our strength,” he said, adding that Vedic priests should not be allowed into traditional spirit worship practices, and political interference in temple administration must be avoided.

He further urged the government to focus on the development of places of worship belonging to Scheduled Castes in the region and emphasized the need to redefine religious leadership, stating that temple priests and daivastana poojaris are the true leaders of Hinduism, not political ideologues.

Raghava H, a member of the management committee of Durga Parameshwari Temple, Beltangady, welcomed the upgrading of temples from C to B and A grades. He also recommended that traditional art forms like Yakshagana and devotional music, once patronized by royalty, be encouraged within temple premises, especially in A-grade temples.

Former minister Ramanath Rai, chairperson of the cashew development board Mamatha Gatti, MUDA chairman Sadashiva Ullal, former MLC Harish Kumar, Kannada and Tulu Academy president Sadananda Mavanje, deputy commissioner Darshan H V, ZP CEO Vinayak Karbari Narvade, and additional deputy commissioner Dr Santosh Kumar were present.

The programme began with a welcome address by assistant commissioner of the endowment department Jayamma, followed by an introductory note by Shwetha Pally, administrative officer of Bappanadu Durga Parameshwari Temple.

Key suggestions made by committee members:

• Dilraj Alva, Kadri Manjunath Temple: A fast-track mechanism should be established under the DC or ADC to resolve land disputes involving temples. The government should permit cultural activities in A-grade temples.
• Venkappa Gowda, Mahavishnu Temple, Sullia: The government should address funding issues for the development of C-grade temples. ID cards should also be issued to committee members of these temples via the district administration.
• Balakrishna Gowda, Subrahmanya Temple, Thotattadi: Of the 493 temples under the district's endowment department, only 427 priests currently receive tastik grants. Measures must be taken to include the rest.