Mangalore, August 23, 2013: The government’s decision to dissolve committees of many of the well-known temples in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi has come as a shock to many of its members, who see the move smacking of political high-handedness.

Some called it political interference in temple matters.

Of the 41 managing committees of A grade temples dissolved, 20 are in the two districts, home to State’s richest temples.

Anantha Aithal, who was president of Nandaneshwara Temple, Panambur, said the decision was shocking. “When there are rules on how we should function, why the same does not apply to the government. No reason has been given for dissolving the committee.” Temple managing committees should not be another political appointment, he said.

“It is unfortunate that the government has not allowed these committees to function for full three-year term. There were questions over some of those appointed in the committees by the earlier government. But it should have been allowed to complete the term as laid under the Act (Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997),” said Harikrishna Punaroor, a former member of managing committee in Kukke Subramanya Temple, which was spared of the dissolution.

Mr. Punaroor is also among the petitioners before the High Court questioning appointment of members to managing committees of some A grade temples. District officials said no action had been taken against nine A grade temples where there are hereditary trustees. Similarly, nothing has been done with regard to managing committees of Kukke Subramanya, Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple and temples in Uppinangady and Katipalla as cases are pending before the High Court.

Many lesser known temples in the district are also expecting the government to dissolve their committees.

“Dissolving this committee does not prevent me from being involved in the temple’s activities,” said Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, who was member of the managing committee of Kadri Manjunatha Temple. Echoing the same sentiment was Krishna Bhat, president of Soutadka Mahaganapati Temple committee.

Source: The Hindu, August 23, 2013