Karnataka temple tax row: Siddaramaiah counters 'fake news' after BJP backlash — All you need to know

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₹1 crore will pay 10 percent, while temples with income between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore will pay 5 percent to the government. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders slammed the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led state government over the new bill.

Karnataka BJP president Vijayendra Yediyurappa alleged that the government passed the bill to replenish its depleted coffers. "Corrupt, inept #LootSarkaar with its penchant for anti Hindu ideology in the guise of secularism, has cast its evil eyes on the Temple revenues.

Through the Hindu Religious Endowments amendment act, it is trying to siphon off donations as well as offerings from Hindu temples and religious institutions in order to fill its empty coffers," Yediyurappa said on X. He question as to "why only Hindu temples are targeted for revenue, leaving out other religions..." He also took a dig at the Congress government and said, "Instead of grabbing the devotees' money, government can install "Donation Boxes" so that the concerned citizens can help this penniless govt boost its revenue as a Gesture of Goodwill." Union Minister and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar also criticised the Congress government in Karnataka, calling its move to pass the Bill a "new low" for the state's ruling party.

"Every time you think Rahul's Congress cannot fall any lower, along comes and example of them falling even lower," Chandrasekhar was quoted by PTI as saying. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the “allegations" regarding the state government's amendments to the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Bill "appear to be misrepresented for political gain".