The statement comes in the wake of rightwing Hindutva groups’ opposition to Muslims setting their stalls around temples on festivals

NEW DELHI – According to a report, the Karnataka government issued a statement on Wednesday that non-Hindus cannot be allowed to do business in and around Hindu temples.

Citing the Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act 2002, the government, while replying to a query, informed the legislative assembly about the bar on non-Hindus from doing business around the temples.

The statement comes in the wake of rightwing Hindutva groups’ opposition to Muslims setting their stalls around temples on festivals.

The question was raised by Congress MLAs, UT Khader and Rizwan Arshed, at the zero hour. They pointed out at the flyers and banners being distributed in temples asking non-Hindus to refrain from setting up their stalls.

State Law Minister justified the action of the vigilantes saying their opposition does not violate the law.

“As per rule number 12 under the Act, non-Hindus are barred from the premises to do business in and around the premises. However, if it is beyond the Hindu religious area, we will initiate action against those who are putting up these banners and posters,” Madhuswamy told the state assembly.

The Congress, however, alleged that the banners were targeting even the roadside vendors doing honest business.

“Such posters, flyers and banners are causing discord in our society and destroying communal harmony. We urge the government to ensure that such incidents do not occur,” said Khader.

Chief Minister Basav Raj Bomai assured that the matter would be looked into and action will follow as per the law.

“During Jathre (a temple festival), a lot of shops are sub-leased for business to non-Hindus. The lessees, who would have taken the property from the management board of the temples and religious institutions, would have done so to make some money. These are business dealing and we cannot interfere. In such cases, we will look into the law and also look into the facts of the cases,” the report quoted Bommai as saying.

The banners and posters by rightwing groups targeting Muslim businesses have been reported from several districts of coastal region of the state.

Notably, in December 2021, the Supreme Court had said that it cannot deny non-Hindus their right to carry out commercial activity on temple premises just because they are not Hindus. The apex court had said this while directing Andhra Pradesh government to grant licence and lease for shops to non-Hindus as well at Srisailam’s Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Varla Devasthanam in the state’s Kurnool district.