Congress says Bommai govt's bill on religious structures aimed at vote-bank | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Congress says Bommai govt's Bill on religious structures aimed at vote-bank

By | Written by Sohini Goswami, New Delhi
Sep 21, 2021 04:51 PM IST

Revenue minister R Ashok said the government introduced the Bill to protect temples. “We have to protect institutions of all religions," he added

The Congress on Tuesday hit out at the Basavaraj Bommai-led government for introducing the Karnataka Religious Structures (Protection) Bill, 2021, that sought to protect illegal religious structures built on a public place.

File image of the Karnataka Assembly. (HT Photo)
File image of the Karnataka Assembly. (HT Photo)

Congress MLA NA Harris said the Bill was tabled in the Assembly as part of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) vote-bank politics. “They demolished temples, now they are saying they will protect them. They are making fools out of people. They should not touch any religious structure. It's being done for vote-bank. Everything cannot be made legal. They should have had a discussion (on the issue),” Harris was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

According to multiple reports, the Bill was framed in the wake of a court directive to demolish all structures “constructed on public places without the authority of law”, while also mandating that such structures would not come up in future.

“It is considered necessary to provide for the protection of religious construction in public places before the date of commencement of this Act in order to protect communal harmony and not hurt the religious sentiments of the public,” it said.

The Bill would cover all institutions of all faiths and include temples, mosques, churches, gurdwaras and so on.

Revenue minister R Ashok said the government introduced the Bill to protect temples. “We have to protect institutions of all religions," he added.

BJP leader CT Ravi said some issues could have been avoided had the Bill been brought up earlier, adding the Congress was doing drama over the issue. “We welcome the Karnataka government's decision,” he said.

 

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On