Mangalore: Nalin Kateel slams CM over plans to bring Krishna Math under govt control

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, May 23: Member of Parliament Nalin Kumar Kateel in a statement released to the media on Thursday May 23 expressed strong opposition to chief minister Siddaramaiah's statement that the state government was planning to take control of Udupi Sri Krishna Math and Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple.

Siddaramaiah, in an interview to Outlook magazine, had said that steps would be taken to bring Sri Krishna Math and Mahabaleshwar Temple under the muzrai department, as he believed that these religious places belong to the people and should hence be regulated by the government.

Reacting to the statement, Kateel said, "Going by the statement made by chief minister Siddaramaiah, it looks like the government is playing with the religious sentiments of people over here. This policy by the state government will be strongly opposed by the BJP.

"Maths have their own tradition and each has a unique identity, and devotees too have their own beliefs with regard to these temples, and that is why maths have been formed. Various pujas and rituals have been followed since ages in these temples and hence it is wrong to bring them under government control," he said.

"Government should not hurt anyone’s religious sentiments nor harm the traditions of these temples. If the government goes ahead with its plans, BJP will hold a massive protest," Kateel warned.

Kateel cautioned that BJP will mobilize people if Siddaramaiah attempts to frame polices that go against their religious sentiments.