A viral claim suggesting that the Karnataka government is diverting ₹445 crore from Hindu temples, with ₹330 crore allocated to mosques and churches, has been debunked as misleading. The misinformation spread widely on social media, garnering over 25,000 views, reported the Quint.
A review of the Karnataka budget 2024-25 revealed that ₹393 crore was allocated for minority development, with funds sourced from the Minorities Development Corporations, not Hindu temple funds. Additionally, ₹330 crore was designated for the development of Waqf properties and the Christian community, but this money was not drawn from temple collections.
The Karnataka Transport Minister, Ramalinga Reddy, refuted the claims on his official X handle, clarifying that no temple funds were allocated to the minority welfare department. The Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act mandates that temple funds be used strictly for Hindu religious purposes.
This is not the first time such claims have surfaced. A similar false allegation was debunked in February 2024, proving that temple funds remain designated for Hindu religious activities.
