Karnataka’s ruling Congress government is facing severe criticism from opposition parties for appeasing Muslims. The Siddaramaiah government has been accused of being biased in its policies towards Muslims, especially after the Waqf land and quota disputes. Meanwhile, the move by the Siddaramaiah government is being seen as an attempt at political ‘damage control’. The Siddaramaiah government has decided to provide a financial assistance of Rs 5,000 to every pilgrim from the state who visits Jammu and Kashmir for darshan of Vaishno Devi.
Decision on protection of Hindu temples of the state
Not only this, the Karnataka government has also decided to protect the properties of state-run Hindu temples, remove any encroachment and provide financial assistance for their maintenance. The government has also decided that signboards related to various mujrai schemes (grants for religious or social purposes) will be placed in state-run temples. Besides, clear notice boards will also be put up to ensure that cash donations made to temples can be used only for those temples.
Plans for other pilgrimages are already underway
These decisions were taken at a meeting of the State Religious Council chaired by Karnataka Mujrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy. The Karnataka government is already providing financial assistance to pilgrims traveling to Kashi, Gaya and South Indian pilgrimage sites.
Reservation proposal for Muslims?
Apart from this, there is news citing sources that the state government has also proposed to give reservation to Muslims in public construction. This reservation will be similar to the reservation given to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities. Sources say that the proposal is for construction up to Rs 1 crore.
Earlier, the state government had given 24 per cent quota in government contracts to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and some backward castes. With this move, the Karnataka government is trying to send a political message towards religious neutrality in the state, while the opposition is seeing it as vote bank politics.
Also Read-
Uproar among protesting candidates in Prayagraj, Police arrests some students for causing ruckus.
Congress leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir’s big statement in Bokaro, “Infiltrators will also be given cylinders”
Latest India News