Hindu Janajagruti Samiti seeks removal of ‘non-Hindu’ shops from vicinity of temples

Bengaluru: Hindu Janajagruti Samiti on Thursday demanded the removal of all shops and establishments run by “non-Hindus” from the vicinity of temples under the Karnataka endowments department.

A delegation led by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti spokesperson Mohan Gowda met the commissioner of the Karnataka muzrai department and put forth their demands on Thursday.

Today @HinduJagrutiOrg Submitted Memorandum to Sou. Rohini Sindoor, The Commissioner of Karnataka Hindu Religious Endowment Dept to Not to Allow Non-Hindus business activities in Karnataka Endowment Temples premises which is against to Hindu Endowment Act 2002@ShashikalaJolle pic.twitter.com/rY9es08OdS

— 🚩Mohan gowda🇮🇳 (@Mohan_HJS) March 24, 2022

“Today, from Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, we met endowment department commissioner Rohini Sindhuri, and gave a memorandum that whichever temples come under the department, non-Hindus not be given an opportunity to set up shops,” Gowda told reporters after the meeting.

“Non-Hindus are owning chappal shops in the premises owned by Sri Anjaneya Temple in Upparpet in the central area of Majestic in Bengaluru. Though the lease period has been expired in 2014, the shop keepers have continued their business in an unauthorised manner till date. This is in contravention to the Karnataka Endowments Act 1997. Though the sections 29(8)(12) in the aforesaid act specifically mention that non-Hindus should not be given any land, buildings sites or any properties, it has been observed that since the last 40 years Non-Hindus have been participating in Annual fairs of some Temples coming under the purview of the Endowments Dept. Though the Act specifically mentions excluding people who may destroy the sanctity and heritage of the Temples, it is a crime that in clear violation of the act, Non-Hindus have been permitted. The failure of the department officials to take any action regarding the protection of the temples shows their irresponsibility,” he added.

“Despite these rules being mentioned in the act, today, these acts are violated with defiance,” Gowda said on Thursday.

Gowda said that these shops had been sub-leased by whoever won the auction and that there were two shops inside and four outside the temple premises. “Since 2014, this lease has not been renewed which has also added to the loss of the state exchequer,” he added.