Cancel appointments of non-Hindu officials in Karnataka Endowment Department

As per the information through RTI application, it has been observed that the Karnataka Government has appointed 6 non-Hindu officials (4 Muslims and 2 Christians) in the Endowment Department set up for the Hindu temples. The names of the officials are Smt. Magdilan Nalina, G. S. Sayyad Munir, D. K. Samimulla, A. S. D’Souza, Mohammad G. Shan Ali Khan and Abdul Aziz. Since the Karnataka Endowment Department is meant for looking after the management of the Hindu temples, the appointment of non-Hindu officials on the Endowment Department is illegal and not as per the rules. The Section 7 of ‘Karnataka Temple Act and Appointment of Person under Hindu Religious Institution’ clearly states that all the working officials and the servants should be Hindus. This means while making appointments, the Government rules have brazenly been flouted.

Hindus, therefore, demand that Government should take a serious view and cancel all the above appointments without delay and appropriate action to be taken against the officials concerned for making appointments flouting the rules.

Why Non Hindus Govern Hindu Dharmik Institutions in Karnataka State?

The Government of Karnataka have enacted the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act 1997 for the purpose of administration of Hindu Religious Institutions like Hindu temples, Shrines (Daivasthans) etc. According to section 7 of this Act, the officers and servants appointed in the department should be Hindus. The Commissioner and every Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner and every other officer or servant, appointed to carry out the purpose of this Act, by whomsoever appointed, shall be a person professing Hindu Religion, and shall cease to hold office as such when he ceases to profess that Religion. The Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act 1951 ( Madras Act no XIX of 1951) repealed by the above Act also had made similar provision in section 9. Natural Justice Demands that the administration of the Religious Institutions of Hindu Dharma and of other Religions should be looked after by the persons (including the officers and servants) belonging to Hindu Dharma and the respective Religions and it is the intention of the Government too as is evident from the above enactments.

But from the website of the Muzarai (Endowment) section of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Bengaluru Rural District, it was observed in May 2015 that one Mohammed Ali was working as a First Division Clerk in that section. The undersigned sent an objection petition dated 13.05.2015 which was delivered at the Commissioner’s office on 15.05.2015 by registred post (ack. Due ) and marked a copy to the Deputy Commissioner, Bengaluru Rural District for taking action in the matter. He also contacted the Muzarai Tahsildar of the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Bengaluru Rural District and the Commissioner’s office on phone. But he could not get proper answer. He sent a reminder on 25.06.2015 through fax and Email. But no reply was received. So he filed RTI application to the Commissioner’s office to ascertain the details of Non Hindus working in Muzarai Department in Karnataka State. The information furnished by the Public Information Officer of the office of the Commissioner, Hindu Religious Institution and Charitable Endowments Departments, Karnataka Bengaluru, vide letter no ADM/12/MAHA/292/15-16 dated 20.07.2015 in reply to the RTI Application

reveals that 4 Muslims and 2 Christians – thus in all 6 Non Hindus are working in the Muzarai (Endowment) Department of Karnataka State Government. But it is surprising to note that the RTI Information does not reveal the name of the aforesaid Mohammed Ali! So also, among the aforesaid 6 Non Hindus, Shri D.K. Samiulla must have retired from service on 28.02.2010 itself (his date of birth being 16.02.1950) on attaining the age of superannuation. But the RTI Information reveals that he is still continuing in Government service even after the completion of 65 years by now! It is thus evident that the Karnataka Endowment Department does not care to respect the law of the land. It appears as though it is under THUGLAK DARBAR!

It is to be noted that only Muslims are appointed in the Wakf Board, while only Christians work in Diocese Society. So also the case of other Institutions belonging to other Minorities. It is worth questioning as to why, how and under which Statute Non Hindus are allowed to work in the Endowment ( Muzarai) Department, contrary to the Rules and Regulations of the State Government?

In the Month of July 2015, an agitation was conducted in several places of Karnataka State demanding the removal of the aforesaid Mohammed Ali from the Endowment ( Muzarai) Department. But neither the Endowment Commissioner nor the State Government appear to have Initiated any action in the matter. In view of this fact and the information furnished on the RTI application it has now been decided to take up the issue under Hindu Rastriya Andolan in August 2015 to work as an eye opener for the State Government and to press our demands for the removal of Non Hindus from the Endowment ( Muzarai) Department forthwith besides taking disciplinary action against the officers concerned for appointing Non Hindus in Endowment ( Muzarai) Department, contrary to rules.

For further reading

True Facts Of Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions & Charitable Endowment Act 2011