Shimla: In a contentious move, the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government has sought financial contributions from state-controlled temples to fund its flagship welfare schemes, igniting a fierce political debate.
Facing a severe financial crunch, the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu administration has directed temples under government control to allocate funds for the ‘Sukh Ashray’ scheme, aimed at providing support to orphans and the destitute.
This directive has been communicated through official channels, with district administrations reaching out to temple trusts for monetary assistance.
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has vehemently criticized this decision. Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition, Jairam Thakur, accused the government of misappropriating religious funds to cover its fiscal mismanagement.
He stated, “While Congress leaders have been critical of Sanatan Dharma, they are now resorting to using temple trust funds to sustain state welfare initiatives.”
Reacting to this, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has stated that he don’t want to issue any statement on this issue as BJP has an habbit of making baseless allegations.
BJP State Media Incharge, Karan Nanda, highlighted that approximately 35 major temples under state control have been approached for contributions. He expressed concern over the diversion of temple funds for purposes other than their intended religious and community use.
This development comes on the heels of the state’s escalating debt crisis. Reports indicate that Himachal Pradesh’s debt has surpassed ₹88,000 crore, with the current administration adding around ₹19,000 crore in the past 18 months.
The mounting fiscal deficit has raised questions about the government’s financial prudence and its ability to fulfill pre-election promises without resorting to unconventional funding sources.
In defense, the state government argues that utilizing temple funds for public welfare aligns with broader societal interests. They cite precedents and legal perspectives supporting the use of religious institution funds for public good.
However, critics contend that this approach undermines the sanctity of religious endowments and sets a precarious precedent for the management of temple assets.
The debate has intensified, with opposition leaders pledging to challenge the decision in the upcoming budget session and mobilize public opinion against what they perceive as an affront to religious sentiments and fiscal responsibility.
As the controversy unfolds, it underscores the delicate balance between governance, religious autonomy, and financial management in Himachal Pradesh.
Sunil Chadda
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