From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Dec 31: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee Chief D K Shivakumar accused the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP regime of trying to hand over all temples in the State to BJP and Sangh Parivar activists in the name of granting autonomous status to temples and warned that the Congress party will reverse all the ill-advised decisions after the elections.

Addressing the media representatives near his residence on Friday, he said the Bommai government was in reality anti-Hindu and the proposal to grant autonomy to the temples is a ploy to hand over control over the immense properties and wealth of the thousands of temples to the BJP and RSS workers.

“This is an anti-Hindu policy. The temples are public property and People of the State and even God will not pardon the government and this decision of handing over control of temples will be suicidal for the Bommai government. It will burn the BJP regime,’’ he said.

The KPCC Chief declared that the Congress party is not anti-Hindu. “We are also Hindus. We believe and practice Hindu religion and its culture. Just because Congress party opposes government’s decision of giving control of all temples to the ruling BJP and RSS workers, does not make us anti-Hindu. Except a few prominent temples, almost all the thousands of temples are under the control of the government’s Muzrai Department. The rich and poor contribute to the temples and all the temples have crores of rupees in assets. What is the need and justification to give control of these temples to ruling party and Sangh Parivar activists?’’ he asked.

Challenge for public debate

Shivakumar alleged that the Bommai government has not come out with a single pro-people welfare or developmental scheme and challenged the ruling party for a public debate on the programmes and performance of the governments led by BJP and Congress. "We are ready for an open debate,’’ he said.

The KPCC Chief said the Bommai government cannot dismantle the traditions of the thousands of years and entrust the temples built and nurtured by the people to the ruling party workers.

“Realising that the BJP has been losing elections after elections and is scared of facing the 2023 assembly polls, the government is trying to vitiate the political atmosphere and polarise the voters through its anti-cow slaughter, anti-conversion and now grant of autonomy to the temples. This is nothing but a ploy to rouse religious passions and polarise the voters on religious sentiments,’’ he charged and declared that the Congress party would not allow such blatant misuse of religion for political gains by the ruling BJP.

“The government and the ruling party is under the illusion that people will turn in their favour by arousing religious passions. The control of religions cannot be given to ruling party workers and Sangh Parivar activists. The traditions and beliefs of the people must be respected. The temples are not government property to be entrusted to the ruling partymen,’’ he said and warned that the party will decide on its course of action against the government’s move by holding a meeting of senior party leaders on January 4.

The Congress party will reverse all anti-people and ill-advised decisions of the BJP rule after the elections, he said pointing out that Bommai or BJP are not going to permanently rule Karnataka.

‘Cat, rat or tiger does not matter’

Reacting to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai sarcastic comment that DK Shivakumar is like a cat that caught a rat in dream, the KPCC Chief said he was not perturbed or upset at the Chief Minister’s remark. "He is in power and because of his position he is talking like that. Let him compare or ridicule me to a cat or rat or even a tiger, I am not worried. I know the people will give a befitting reply at the appropriate time. The rat is the vehicle that carried Lord Ganesha. But this government cannot sell the temples to its party workers or Sangh Parivar leaders,’’ he said.

The State Congress President described the victory of the party in the just concluded urban local body polls is the victory of the people. The people have given their verdict as they are fed up with the BJP rule. The wave of change is sweeping the State and people desire a pro-people and responsive government, he said pointing out that BJP has lost in the home district of Haveri of the Chief Minister so soon after the defeat in the Hangal assembly by-election.

New Year Greetings

The KPCC Chief extended New Year greetings and best wishes to the people and assured that after suffering two years of BJP rule, the people are anxious rid the BJP in the 2023 assembly elections.