Temple committee president gets notice

The Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowment department Commissioner has termed the appointment of BJP Kodagu district former spokesman Manu Muthappa, who is facing criminal charges, as the management committee president of Sri Bhagandeshwara Talacauvery Temple, as ‘illegal’.

In his letter, which is with Deccan Herald, the commissioner has mentioned that Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowment (Amendment) Act, 2011, Section 25 (2) D and 25 (3) (3) has been violated. As per Section 25(4)(6) of the Act, Manu Muthappa can be dismissed from the post. So, the commissioner has issued a show cause notice to Muthappa.

Background

When Mutthappa was District BJP spokesman, the BJP government had appointed him as the Temple Committee president, hence Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga (KER) members had alleged that the selection was in violation of the Act.

Later, they had submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, on November 25, 2013. DC Anurag Tiwari ordered an investigation into the matter. After investigation, police said that many cases had been registered against Muthappa in various police stations from 1997 to 2014. As per the documents provided by KER, it was established that Muthappa was BJP spokesman.

Under Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowment (Second Amendment) Act, 2011, political party representatives cannot be selected as members of the management committee. Section 25 (3) (3) says that any person who has no good name can’t be a member of the committee. These two points have been violated in this case, the commissioner has mentioned. Muthappa was not available for comment.