Karnataka government not to take over temples, religious institutes: Minister

MANGALURU: The Karnataka government has no plans to take control of temples or 'maths' in the state, Minister for Muzrai (Religious Endowment) Rudrappa Manappa Lamani has said.

He was speaking to reporters after attending the 49th anniversary function of the ascension of Veerendra Heggade to the post of 'Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari' at Dharmasthala in the district yesterday.

Lamani said there was no proposal before the government to appoint an endowment officer to control the Sree Ramachandrapura Math at Hosanagar in Shivamogga district.

He said an individual had filed a public interest litigation in the Karnataka High Court regarding the math and the state counsel would give the government's opinion in this regard.

The government do not want to intervene in the administration of religious institutions, Lamani said, adding that there are no plans to take control of Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara temple in Mangaluru.

He said committees were being formed to manage temples under the Muzrai department.

The courts had stayed the formation of committees in six out of the 60 temples under the department and the process would be completed soon after clearing the hurdles.

Religious councils are also being formed at the district level, the minister added.