Congress Announces New Haj Bhavan in K’taka Budget, BJP Calls it ‘Muslim League Budget’
The Congress-led government in Karnataka, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has presented its budget for the year, which has drawn strong criticism from its arch-rival, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP has dubbed the budget as the “Muslim League Budget”, citing several provisions that it claims favor the Muslim community.
At the heart of the controversy is the announcement of a new Haj Bhavan in Bengaluru, a facility that will cater to Haj pilgrims. The BJP has accused the government of prioritizing the needs of Muslim pilgrims over those of other communities. The party has also taken umbrage with the provision to build 15 colleges on vacant Waqf land for Muslim women.
Waqf land is a type of endowment property that is owned by Muslims and is managed by a Waqf board. The BJP has accused the government of using public funds to build institutions that cater exclusively to Muslim women, citing that this is a violation of the principles of secularism.
However, the Congress has defended its budget, saying that it is aimed at promoting social justice and equality. The government has argued that the new Haj Bhavan and the colleges for Muslim women are part of its efforts to bridge the educational and economic gap between different communities.
The budget has also allocated a significant amount of money for the welfare of religious leaders and priests. The honorarium for Jain priests, Sikh Chief Grantis, and Pesh-Imams of mosques has been increased to ₹6,000 per month. The BJP has criticized this move, saying that it is an attempt to buy the loyalty of religious leaders.
The BJP has also accused the government of being biased towards the Muslim community, citing the fact that the budget has allocated more funds for Muslim-dominated institutions and initiatives. The party has claimed that this is a clear example of the Congress’s “appeasement politics”, which it says is designed to win votes from the Muslim community.
The Congress, on the other hand, has defended its budget, saying that it is aimed at promoting social justice and equality. The party has argued that the budget is a reflection of its commitment to the welfare of all communities, and that it is not biased towards any particular community.
The controversy surrounding the Karnataka budget is the latest example of the bitter rivalry between the Congress and the BJP. The two parties have been at odds with each other for years, and this latest spat is unlikely to ease the tension between them.
In conclusion, the Karnataka budget has sparked a heated controversy between the Congress and the BJP. The BJP has accused the government of prioritizing the needs of Muslim pilgrims and women, while the Congress has defended its budget, saying that it is aimed at promoting social justice and equality. The controversy is unlikely to die down anytime soon, and is likely to remain a major issue in the run-up to the next elections.
