Is Karnataka govt giving temple funds to churches, mosques?
In recent times, social media has been abuzz with claims that the Karnataka government, led by the Congress party, is misusing funds collected from Hindu temples. The allegations state that a whopping ₹445 crore, collected from temples, is being diverted to mosques and churches. The viral posts have sparked widespread outrage among the Hindu community, with many demanding an investigation into the matter.
However, before we dive into the facts, it’s essential to note that misinformation can spread like wildfire on social media. In this article, we will examine the claims and provide a fact-check of the allegations.
Claim: Karnataka govt siphoning off temple funds to mosques and churches
The viral posts claim that the Karnataka government has allocated ₹445 crore from temple funds to mosques and churches. The posts also claim that an additional ₹330 crore has been allocated to mosques and churches from the state budget.
Fact-check:
BOOM, a leading fact-checking website, has reviewed the 2024-25 Budget of Karnataka and found that the allegations are baseless and misleading. According to BOOM, the funds allocated to minorities are drawn from the Minorities Development Corporations of the state and not from temple funds.
The Karnataka government has a separate budgetary allocation for minority communities, which includes funds for education, healthcare, and other welfare programs. The allocation is made from the Minorities Development Corporations, which is a separate entity from temple funds.
Karnataka Budget 2024-25: A breakdown
BOOM analyzed the Karnataka Budget 2024-25 and found that the allocation for minorities is as follows:
- ₹330 crore has been allocated for minority welfare programs, which includes education, healthcare, and other welfare schemes.
- ₹445 crore has been allocated for the Minorities Development Corporations, which is a separate entity from temple funds.
The myth-busting
The viral posts claim that temple funds are being diverted to mosques and churches, but the facts suggest otherwise. The Karnataka government has a separate budgetary allocation for minority communities, which is funded from the Minorities Development Corporations. The allocation is not drawn from temple funds.
Furthermore, the Karnataka government has a separate department for Hindu temples, which is responsible for managing the funds collected from temples. The department is responsible for allocating funds for temple development, maintenance, and other welfare programs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the claims that the Karnataka government is siphoning off temple funds to mosques and churches are baseless and misleading. The Karnataka Budget 2024-25 has allocated funds for minority welfare programs and Minorities Development Corporations, which is separate from temple funds.
It’s essential to verify information before sharing it on social media to prevent the spread of misinformation. Fact-checking websites like BOOM play a crucial role in debunking myths and providing accurate information.
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