Bengaluru, August 5: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Wednesday that the state government is ready to provide all necessary assistance for the training of priests serving in rural temples. He urged priest associations and monasteries to take the initiative to enhance the skills of priests and preserve temple traditions.
While addressing a conference, the Chief Minister called for the launch of a structured training program for worshippers in temples across the state’s villages. He encouraged priest associations and monasteries to collaborate on this initiative and provide priests serving in approximately 34,000 rural temples with knowledge of proper religious customs and traditions.
“I request priest associations and monasteries to come together and discuss this. There are about 34,000 temples in villages where priests perform daily rituals. You should educate them about the correct religious traditions and customs. Organize a three-month training program for these priests, and the government will provide all necessary support,” Shivakumar stated.
Raising the question of whether knowledge should be limited to a few individuals, the Chief Minister encouraged experienced priests to share their expertise with others. “Knowledge is not the personal property of an individual or family. You can share your knowledge with others. By doing so, you will strengthen the traditions and values associated with temple worship,” he added.
Shivakumar also highlighted his contributions to temple development, noting that nearly 300 temples have been constructed or renovated in his assembly constituency. “In my constituency alone, we have constructed or renovated about 300 temples. Those who pray with devotion find peace of mind,” he said.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to preserving temple traditions by providing institutional support to priests and religious institutions across Karnataka. He appealed to temple priests to support the Congress government, stating that it has fulfilled its promises and implemented welfare measures that cannot be compared to previous administrations.
“Our government has done what it promised. Just as you protect your homes and temples, protect your government as well,” he urged. He called on priests to convey the government’s achievements to devotees and assist in bringing the party back to power.
Shivakumar emphasized that no political party can monopolize religion and questioned claims that only certain groups are the guardians of Hinduism. He announced that to ensure transparency in the management of temple offerings, CCTV cameras will be installed near donation boxes and counting centers in major temples.
He also criticized the BJP’s claims of being the protectors of Hinduism, stating that no political party can claim ownership of religion. He questioned why some parties act as if they have a monopoly on faith, asserting, “Are Ramalinga Reddy, Siddaramaiah, Mallikarjun Kharge, and I not Hindus?”
Further, he questioned whether those claiming to protect religion have improved the lives of temple priests and devotees. Referring to the Ram Temple, Shivakumar noted that people across the country contributed bricks and donations for its construction but questioned what happened to those contributions.
He concluded that the state government is installing CCTV cameras in major temples to ensure transparency and prevent allegations regarding the management of temple funds.
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