This document discusses several issues with the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions & Charitable Endowments Act, 1997. It summarizes that the top 12 temples covered by the act generate around 200 crores (2 billion rupees) annually but have issues like poor maintenance, unplanned additions, and lack of proper infrastructure and facilities. There are also concerns about possible corruption, embezzlement, theft, and nepotism in how temple funds are used. The document analyzes several sections of the act and rules regarding the administration of temples and raises questions around their transparency, arbitrary nature, and compliance with religious scriptures and standards for temple architecture, preservation and development.

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Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions &Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions &
Charitable Endowments Act, 1997:Charitable Endowments Act, 1997:
INFIRMITIESINFIRMITIES
| Kiran (BS) Bettadapur, Advocate || Kiran (BS) Bettadapur, Advocate |

2. 12) Śri. Mylāra Lingeśwara Temple12) Śri. Mylāra Lingeśwara Temple
 1,000+ years old1,000+ years old
 Mylāra, BellaryMylāra, Bellary

3. 12) Śri. Mylāra Lingeśwara Temple12) Śri. Mylāra Lingeśwara Temple

4. 11) Śri. Ghā i Subramanya Templeṭ11) Śri. Ghā i Subramanya Templeṭ
 600+ years old600+ years old
 Bengaluru RuralBengaluru Rural
 DrāvidianDrāvidian

5. 11) Śri. Ghā i Subramanya Templeṭ11) Śri. Ghā i Subramanya Templeṭ

6. 10) Śri. Banaśankari Temple10) Śri. Banaśankari Temple
 100+ years old100+ years old
 BengaluruBengaluru

7. 10) Śri. Banaśankari Temple10) Śri. Banaśankari Temple

8. 10) Śri. Banaśankari Temple10) Śri. Banaśankari Temple
 Near Badāmi,Near Badāmi,
BagalkotBagalkot
 630 AD630 AD

9. 9) Śri. Siddalingeśwara Swamy Temple9) Śri. Siddalingeśwara Swamy Temple
 500+ years old500+ years old
 VijayanagarVijayanagar
 Ye iyur, TumkuruḍYe iyur, Tumkuruḍ

10. 9) Śri. Siddalingeśwara Swamy Temple9) Śri. Siddalingeśwara Swamy Temple

11. 8) Śri. Huligemma Devi Temple8) Śri. Huligemma Devi Temple
 1313thth
CenturyCentury
 Huligi, KoppalHuligi, Koppal

12. 8) Śri. Huligemma Devi Temple8) Śri. Huligemma Devi Temple

13. 7) Śri. Renuka Yellamma Temple7) Śri. Renuka Yellamma Temple
 1514 AD1514 AD
 Saundatti, BelagaviSaundatti, Belagavi
 Chalukya + Raś rakutaṭChalukya + Raś rakutaṭ
StylesStyles

14. 7) Śri. Renuka Yellamma Temple7) Śri. Renuka Yellamma Temple

15. 6) Śri. Durga Parameśwari Temple6) Śri. Durga Parameśwari Temple
 ≈≈ 1,000 years old1,000 years old
 Ka eela, D. Kanna aṭ ḍKa eela, D. Kanna aṭ ḍ
 Kerala Style (Kerala Style (ŚŚri Kovil)ri Kovil)

16. 6) Śri. Durga Parameśwari Temple6) Śri. Durga Parameśwari Temple

17. 6) Śri. Durga Parameśwari Temple6) Śri. Durga Parameśwari Temple

18. 5) Śri. Śrikan eśwara Templeṭ5) Śri. Śrikan eśwara Templeṭ
 99thth
Century ADCentury AD
 Nanjangu u, MysuruḍNanjangu u, Mysuruḍ
 rāvi ian (Gangas)Ḍ ḍrāvi ian (Gangas)Ḍ ḍ
StyleStyle

19. 5) Śri. Śrikan eśwara Templeṭ5) Śri. Śrikan eśwara Templeṭ

20. 5) Śri. Śrikan eśwara Templeṭ5) Śri. Śrikan eśwara Templeṭ

21. 4) Śri. Chamun eśwari Templeḍ4) Śri. Chamun eśwari Templeḍ
 1212thth
Century ADCentury AD
 MysuruMysuru
 rāvi ian (Gangas &Ḍ ḍrāvi ian (Gangas &Ḍ ḍ
Hoysa as) StyleḷHoysa as) Styleḷ

22. 4) Śri. Chamun eśwari Templeḍ4) Śri. Chamun eśwari Templeḍ

23. 3) Śri. Mookāmbika Temple3) Śri. Mookāmbika Temple
 1200+ years old1200+ years old
 Kollur, U upiḍKollur, U upiḍ
 rāvi ian (Kela iḌ ḍ ḍrāvi ian (Kela iḌ ḍ ḍ
period) Styleperiod) Style

24. 3) Śri. Mookāmbika Temple3) Śri. Mookāmbika Temple

25. 3) Śri. Mookāmbika Temple3) Śri. Mookāmbika Temple

26. 2) Śri. Malē Madeśwara Temple2) Śri. Malē Madeśwara Temple
 600+ years old600+ years old
 MM Hills,MM Hills,
ChāmarājanagarChāmarājanagar
 rāvi ian StyleḌ ḍrāvi ian StyleḌ ḍ

27. 2) Śri. Malē Madeśwara Temple2) Śri. Malē Madeśwara Temple

28. 1) Śri. Kukke Subrama ya Templeṇ1) Śri. Kukke Subrama ya Templeṇ
 88thth
CenturyCentury
 Kukke, D. Kanna aḍKukke, D. Kanna aḍ
 Kerala StyleKerala Style

29. 1) Śri. Kukke Subrama ya Templeṇ1) Śri. Kukke Subrama ya Templeṇ

30. In a Nutshell...In a Nutshell...
 Top 12 temples:Top 12 temples:
≈ 200 crores p.a.≈ 200 crores p.a.
 Known’sKnown’s::
 Bad maintenanceBad maintenance
 Unplanned additionsUnplanned additions
 Poor infrastructurePoor infrastructure
 Ad hocAd hoc facilitiesfacilities
 UnaestheticUnaesthetic
structuresstructures
 Shoddy workShoddy work
 Cheap materialsCheap materials
 Wasteful SpendWasteful Spend
 Unknown’sUnknown’s::
 Corruption;Corruption;
Kickbacks??Kickbacks??
 Embezzlement;Embezzlement;
Misappropriation??Misappropriation??
 Theft; Skimming;Theft; Skimming;
Pilferage??Pilferage??
 Encroachment;Encroachment;
Fraudulent AssetFraudulent Asset
Transfers??Transfers??
 Nepotism??Nepotism??

31. The EnactmentThe Enactment
Karnataka Hindu Religious InstitutionsKarnataka Hindu Religious Institutions
& Charitable Endowments, 1997& Charitable Endowments, 1997
 History:History:
 1863: Religious1863: Religious
Endowments ActEndowments Act
 1890: Charitable1890: Charitable
Endowments ActEndowments Act
 1920: Charitable &1920: Charitable &
Religious Trusts ActReligious Trusts Act
 1927: Mysore HRCE1927: Mysore HRCE
 Etc...Madras, Bombay,Etc...Madras, Bombay,
Hyderabad areasHyderabad areas
 1957-20031957-2003 ≈10 Acts≈10 Acts
in Karnatakain Karnataka
 1997: Consolidation1997: Consolidation
 2001: Pres. Assent2001: Pres. Assent
 2003: Notification2003: Notification
 PurposePurpose::
 Regulate & AdministerRegulate & Administer
 EliminateEliminate
mismanagementmismanagement

32. Constitutional ValidityConstitutional Validity
INVALIDINVALID
Śri Sahasra Lingēśwara TempleŚri Sahasra Lingēśwara Temple
v.v.
State of KarnatakaState of Karnataka
(WA 3440/2005)(WA 3440/2005)
 Violates Art. 14Violates Art. 14
 Buddhists, Jains, SikhsBuddhists, Jains, Sikhs
excludedexcluded
 Violates Arts. 26Violates Arts. 26
 Right to administerRight to administer
religious placesreligious places
 Common Pool Fund:Common Pool Fund:
 5% of Rev.5% of Rev. ExcessiveExcessive
 HundiHundi Collections:Collections:
 To propagate Hindu faithTo propagate Hindu faith
 Not other religionsNot other religions
 Voluntary... OK!Voluntary... OK!

33. S.20 & 21: Dharmik Parishats (DP)S.20 & 21: Dharmik Parishats (DP)
 High PoweredHigh Powered
CommitteeCommittee
 Justice Rama JoisJustice Rama Jois
 Rajya DPRajya DP i.l.oi.l.o
Advisory CommitteeAdvisory Committee
 Zilla Dharmik ParishatZilla Dharmik Parishat
 Min. 6 meeting p.a.Min. 6 meeting p.a.
 Duties:Duties:
 Notify / De-notifyNotify / De-notify
 Administer & ControlAdminister & Control
 Resolve Disputes...Resolve Disputes...
 35,000 temples35,000 temples
 1 + 30 parishats1 + 30 parishats
 Nominated membersNominated members
 PluralPlural Sect, Caste,Sect, Caste,
Community Reps??Community Reps??
 1,000s per parishat1,000s per parishat
 1/3 Quorum; Short1/3 Quorum; Short
notices...6+ meetingsnotices...6+ meetings
 Regulation...YES!Regulation...YES!
 But, Admin,But, Admin,
Governance??Governance??
NOT POSSIBLE!!!NOT POSSIBLE!!!

34. S.23: Notified TemplesS.23: Notified Temples
 20122012 NotificationNotification
 W.e.f. 1-5-2003...W.e.f. 1-5-2003...
RetroactiveRetroactive
 District-wise; Taluk-wiseDistrict-wise; Taluk-wise
 About 34,000+ templesAbout 34,000+ temples
 No adverse report...No adverse report...
YET, NOTIFIEDYET, NOTIFIED
 Violates Art.25 & 26Violates Art.25 & 26― [― [ŚriŚri
Sahasra Lingēśwara]Sahasra Lingēśwara]
 Revenues:Revenues:
 Top 12 = Rs.200 cr.Top 12 = Rs.200 cr.
 MINMIN Rs. 5,000 Cr.Rs. 5,000 Cr.
 Exit Policy??Exit Policy??
 Śri SabhanāyagarŚri Sabhanāyagar
Temple @ChidambaramTemple @Chidambaram
[Podhu Dēkshitar[Podhu Dēkshitar
rights]rights]
 TakeoverTakeover To rectifyTo rectify......
NOT administerNOT administer
forever!!forever!!
 SecularismSecularism ==
Separation of State andSeparation of State and
Religion???Religion???

35. S.42 & 43: Declared TemplesS.42 & 43: Declared Temples
 In case ofIn case of
Mismanagement...Mismanagement...
 ““Show Cause” NoticeShow Cause” Notice
 S.43(2)S.43(2) Reason forReason for
Proposed Action...MUSTProposed Action...MUST
 Response Time: 1Response Time: 1
month ...from date ofmonth ...from date of
issueissue
 No objectionNo objection DeclareDeclare
 ObjectionObjection Enquiry...Enquiry...
DeclareDeclare
 Lack of TransparencyLack of Transparency
 ArbitraryArbitrary
 PropertiesProperties MovablesMovables
+ Immovables+ Immovables
 RTI??RTI??
 What circumstances /What circumstances /
reasons = Why??reasons = Why??
 Cite KIC Decision...Cite KIC Decision...
 Bombay HC @GoaBombay HC @Goa
JudgmentJudgment
[WP419/2007; Dr. Celsa[WP419/2007; Dr. Celsa
Pinto v. Goa State InfoPinto v. Goa State Info
Comm.]Comm.]

36. Rules 40A&B: Temple DevelopmentRules 40A&B: Temple Development
 Preservation &Preservation &
DevelopmentDevelopment
 Competent Auth.Competent Auth.
ApprovalApproval
 >100 years = Ancient...>100 years = Ancient...
[Karnataka Ancient &[Karnataka Ancient &
Historical Monuments andHistorical Monuments and
Archeological Sites &Archeological Sites &
Remains Act, 1961]Remains Act, 1961]
 ASI + State Dept. ofASI + State Dept. of
ArcheologyArcheology 768768
templestemples
 Approval of OtherApproval of Other
Temples?? PWD, LocalTemples?? PWD, Local
Bodies, etc.Bodies, etc.
 Compliance??Compliance??
 Āgama ŚāstraĀgama Śāstra
 Śilpa ŚāstraŚilpa Śāstra
 Vāstu ŚāstraVāstu Śāstra
 Devālaya VāstuDevālaya Vāstu
ŚāstraŚāstra
 Stha a; T rtha;ḷ ῑStha a; T rtha;ḷ ῑ
MoorthyMoorthy
 Sthāpatya VēdaSthāpatya Vēda
(Upavēda)(Upavēda)

37. S.69D & R. 40C: Architectural CommitteeS.69D & R. 40C: Architectural Committee
 5-Members5-Members
 For entire StateFor entire State
 Meets once in 3 monthsMeets once in 3 months
 3 Experts3 Experts::
 Āgama + Śilpa + VāstuĀgama + Śilpa + Vāstu
 For 35,000 temples??For 35,000 temples??
 Many StylesMany Styles::
 Hoysa a;ḷHoysa a;ḷ
 Badami & WesternBadami & Western
ChalukyaChalukya
 VijayanagaraVijayanagara
 Dravi ianḍDravi ianḍ
 Badami CaveBadami Cave
TemplesTemples
 Rāś rakūtaṭRāś rakūtaṭ
 GangaGanga
 KeralaKerala

38. S.17: Common Pool FundS.17: Common Pool Fund
 5% of Gross Revenue5% of Gross Revenue
 On Surplus (i.e., net ofOn Surplus (i.e., net of
expenses)...expenses)... NOT GrossNOT Gross
 Help for otherHelp for other
religionsreligions
VoluntaryVoluntary...not...not
Imposed [Śri SahasraImposed [Śri Sahasra
Lingēśwara]Lingēśwara]
 Devotees Rights??Devotees Rights??
 Offerings...to propagateOfferings...to propagate
/ preserve faith/ preserve faith
 Deity’s Rights??Deity’s Rights??
 Deity = JuristicDeity = Juristic
EntityEntity
 Undervaluation?Undervaluation?
E.g., Antique saleE.g., Antique sale
(or, gold deposit)(or, gold deposit)
 SafeguardingSafeguarding
property...property...
 Interest protectionInterest protection

39. Tamil Nadu ExperienceTamil Nadu Experience
 VarāhaVarāha
LakśminarasimhaLakśminarasimha
TempleTemple
 Rs.68+ cr. auditRs.68+ cr. audit
objectionsobjections
 Uncollected:Uncollected:
 92% of land lease92% of land lease
revenue (0.5 mil. acres)revenue (0.5 mil. acres)
 91% of site rents (3091% of site rents (30
mil. sq. yards)mil. sq. yards)
 78% of building rents78% of building rents
(22,600)(22,600)
 Recovered:Recovered:
 Rs.36 cr.Rs.36 cr. ≈10%≈10%
 Rs.300 cr. billedRs.300 cr. billed
 Market Rate: Rs10K cr.Market Rate: Rs10K cr.

40. Padmanābha Swāmi Temple,Padmanābha Swāmi Temple,
ThiruvananthapuramThiruvananthapuram

41. Ādikesava Perumāl Temple, Thiruva arṭṭĀdikesava Perumāl Temple, Thiruva arṭṭ

42. The 10 '-ties'The 10 '-ties'
TEMPLESTEMPLES
1) Aesthetic1) Aesthetic
BEAUTYBEAUTY
2) Architectural2) Architectural
PURITYPURITY
3) Structural3) Structural
INTEGRITYINTEGRITY
4) Material4) Material
QUALITYQUALITY
5) Spiritual5) Spiritual
SANCTITYSANCTITY
6) Ritualistic6) Ritualistic
PROPRIETYPROPRIETY
7) Administrative7) Administrative
PROBITYPROBITY
8) Socio-cultural8) Socio-cultural
ACTIVITYACTIVITY
9. Religious9. Religious
LIBERTYLIBERTY
10.Constitutional10.Constitutional
EQUALITYEQUALITY

43. Last WordLast Word
:: TEMPLES :::: TEMPLES ::
:: My Religion :: My Rituals :: My Right :::: My Religion :: My Rituals :: My Right ::

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Thank You!Thank You!