Row erupts over utilisation of Nanjangud temple funds

Mysuru: The ruling BJP is facing a challenge in Nanjangud, with divisions appearing between Hindutva activists and local BJP MLA B Harshavardhan.
The legislator had approached the government seeking permission to spend funds generated at the famous Srikanteshwara Swami Temple on various community projects, which have now been approved. But the same is being opposed by Hindutva activists, who want a goshala built using the temple funds.
One of the projects proposed is Shadi Mahal in Nanjangud. But the MLA said this proposal has been dropped.
Based on a letter written by the MLA dated November 28, 2022, and February 3, 2023, Rs 10 crore was sanctioned from the temple funds for various works by the state government.
In the first order, Rs 1.50 crore was sanctioned for Shadi Mahal, Rs 20 lakh for Boudda Vihara. However now, financial support for Shadi Mahal (Rs 1.5 crore) has been dropped, as also for facilities at Valmiki Bhavan (Rs 50 lakh).
The works proposed under Rs 8 crore funds from the temple as per the revised government order includes community halls in the name of Babu Jagjivan Ram, and those for Madiwala, Eediga, Savita, Uppara, Poura Karmika, Vishwakarma, Kumbara, Ganigara, Gejjegara, 24 Tegulu Shetty, Vokkaliga communities, and the works on Boudda Vihara.
According to the Hindutva activists, using temple funds for caste-based community halls is unfortunate. “But we want the temple funds for the betterment of services to devotees, social services like starting schools for the poor, and the like. As the election is fast approaching, the temple money is used to win over people from different castes,” they said.
Yuva Brigade district convener S Chandrashekar requested the temple management to build a goshala to protect the cattle donated to the temple. “We are not against funding for community halls. However, we also want a goshala there to save the cattle,” he said.
Harshavardhana blamed Congress for the controversy. “I had requested the chief minister to release funds from the temple for community halls to realise the equality concept at the temple. During festival seasons, people are forced to sleep on roadsides. To help them, I had requested funds, which the CM has approved,” he said, adding Rs 140 crore is lying idle in the temple bank account. As the temple is a protected monument, no development works can be carried out.