Need seen to free temples from government control

The need to free temples and religious institutions from government control emphasized at a temple convention.

State coordinator of Federation of Karnataka Temple, Mutt and Religious Institutions Mohan Gowda has said that there is a need for launching a fight for freeing temples and religious institutions from the control of the government.

Speaking at a district-level temple convention in Hubballi on Sunday, Mr. Mohan Gowda said that temples and religious institutions are like the backbone of the country but they are under the control of the governments and their assets are being confiscated.

He said that the federation has initiated a movement to make dress code compulsory in temples across the State and in Dharwad district, trustees of around 200 temples have favoured implementing the code.

He said that the federation also has drawn up plans to start courses in religious education in temples as it is important to imbibe moral values among children in the initial stages of life.

Inaugurating the temple convention, chairman of Gayatri Tapobhumi Charitable Trust Vinayak Akalwadi stressed the need for maintaining transparency by temple trustees in transactions of temples and utilise the additional revenue, if any, in the development of temples.

Ramananda Gowda of Sanathan Samsthe stressed the need for religious education and said that temples will strengthen society.

Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation councillor Rajanna Koravi pointed out the divide caused by temples meant for different castes and stressed the need for being united.