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The Himachal government’s move was condemned by the BJP, with ex-Chief Minister Jairam Thakur saying, “No past government has ever used temple trust funds for budgetary schemes.”
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (PTI File Photo)
The devastating landslides and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh have now become a point a point of contention between the ruling Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the state government battling with a monetary crisis turned to temples for financial relief.
In a notification dated January 29, the state’s Social Justice and Empowerment Department sought “contributions for charitable activities and welfare schemes run by the state”.
Reportedly, the funds were specifically sought for two specific government programmes – Mukhya Mantri Sukh Ashray and Mukhya Mantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana.
“The various temple trusts functioning under the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions Charitable Endowment Act keep making contributions… may make contributions towards the Mukhya Mantri Sukh Ashray and Mukhya Mantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana, with a view to provide funds for the above-mentioned welfare schemes,” the notification read.
However, the move was condemned by the BJP, with ex-Chief Minister Jairam Thakur saying, “No past government has ever used temple trust funds for budgetary schemes… using temple funds for regular government expenses is completely unacceptable.”
BJP Slams Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh Assembly Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jairam Thakur on Thursday accused the Himachal government of asking money from state government-run temples to finance the Sukh Ashray scheme.
In a post on X, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly LoP stated that there are around 36 major temples under state government control, and these temples have been requested to provide funds to run the government scheme.
कांग्रेस की सुक्खू सरकार एक तरफ सनातन का विरोध करती है, हिंदू विरोधी बयान देती है और दूसरी तरफ देवी-देवताओं के मंदिरों से ही पैसा लेकर सरकार की फ्लैगशिप योजना चलाना चाह रही है।सुक्खू सरकार द्वारा मंदिरों से पैसा मांगा जा रहा है इसके लिए अधिकारियों पर दबाव बनाया जा रहा है कि… pic.twitter.com/Ga7QorCQPj
— BJP Himachal Pradesh (@BJP4Himachal) February 27, 2025
“On one hand, the Sukhu government opposes Sanatana Dharma, keeps giving anti-Hindu statements and on the other hand, it wants to run the government’s flagship scheme by taking money from temples. The government is demanding money from temples, and pressure is being put on officials to send the money to the government. The Bharatiya Janata Party opposes this decision of the government,” he said.
Himachal CM Responds
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu’s government hit back sharply with state unit boss Pratibha Singh stressing donations had been sought from the public at large and not just temples.
“Our government is running the schemes for a good cause…. for helpless children and to support their education and give them a better life… It is not only about temples. We are calling on everyone who can to donate an amount for the welfare of children,” she said.
- Location :
Himachal Pradesh, India, India
