Image Credits - Hindustan Times
The Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti (ABSS) declared on Thursday that the Congress, labelled ‘anti-Hindu,’ has reached a critical juncture from which there is no turning back. This assertion comes in response to the Karnataka government, led by the Congress party, passing legislation allowing the state to levy a 10% tax on temples generating revenue above ₹1 crore and 5% on those with revenue ranging from ₹10 lakhs to ₹1 crore.
In a video statement, Jitendranand Saraswati, the general secretary of ABSS, expressed concern over the impending implementation of what he termed as a religion-based tax, a first of its kind in India. He likened it to the historical Jaziya tax imposed during the Mughal era. Saraswati emphasized that taxation on income falls under the jurisdiction of the central government, and the legislation proposed by the Karnataka government is seen as a direct assault on the fundamental right of religious freedom.
Describing the tax as “illegal” and “anti-constitutional,” he urged the Karnataka governor not to approve the act. Additionally, he stated that the organization would escalate the issue to the Supreme Court for further deliberation.
Previously, the opposition BJP also criticized the Congress government, labelling it as “anti-Hindu.” BY Vijayendra, the former state unit chief of the BJP, accused the Congress party of intending to divert the funds for purposes other than temple development, suggesting that they would instead use it to replenish their own depleted financial resources.
In response to Vijayendra’s comments, Minister Ramalinga Reddy countered the BJP’s accusation of the Congress being “anti-Hindu” by asserting that the Congress party is, in reality, a staunch supporter and promoter of Hinduism.
Reddy emphasized that this perception arises from the consistent efforts of Congress governments over the years to protect temples and uphold Hindu interests.
