Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, July 25: Members of various temple management committees have urged the government to initiate legal action against those spreading false narratives that temple hundi (donation box) funds are being diverted for use by other religious groups or credited to the state treasury. These demands were voiced during a consultation meeting held at Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall on Friday, July 25, under the aegis of the Department of Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments, with district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao in attendance.
Speaking at the event, Dinesh Gundu Rao said there is a growing campaign in national television talk shows falsely claiming that temple donations are being spent on non-Hindu causes. “These misleading narratives must be countered with facts by the temple management committees. They must take up the responsibility of educating the public,” he said.
He further emphasized that devotees must not be manipulated for personal or political gains, and temple committees should stay vigilant. “Previously, certified priests were paid Rs 24,000 annually. During the last Congress government, I had raised the issue, and the amount was raised to Rs 48,000. In 2024–25, our government further increased it to Rs 72,000. The concept of ‘Tastik’ was introduced by my father Gundu Rao and has grown steadily since,” he added.
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Mangaluru: In a bid to counter rising misinformation, members of temple management committees from Dakshina Kannada have urged the Karnataka government to initiate legal action against individuals...