All You Need To Know About The Karnataka Religious Structures Protection Bill, 2021

The Karnataka Assembly has passed the Religious Structures Protection Bill, 2021 to protect illegal religious structures of faiths from any destruction.

The bill was introduced by the government on Monday (20 September) and was passed by the assembly yesterday (21 September).

Background

This bill comes in the backdrop of the controversial temple demolition that took place earlier this month, following a high court order. The Nanjangud temple was demolished in Mysuru district by the district authorities, following the direction of the High Court to abide by the 2009 Supreme Court judgement which had ordered demolition of all illegal religious structures in public places.

The High Court had recently expressed its displeasure over the state government on its implementation of the Supreme Court order.

According to a letter dated 1 July 2021 by the State Chief Secretary directed to deputy commissioners, there were 6,396 unauthorised religious structures in the state, up from 5,688 on 29 September 2009.

The demolition of the Najangud temple on 12 September drew immediate public anger, leading to reactions from politicians including former chief minister Siddaramaiah and some from the ruling party as well.

Protests were observed by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Hindu Mahasabha, who opposed the demolition.

Following this, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai opined that the demolition should have taken place only after taking the local people into confidence.

The Religious Structures Protection Bill

The new bill protects all religious structures on a public place constructed before the date of commencement of the Act. Its statement of objects states that the bill was necessary to protect religious harmony and to not hurt the religious sentiments of the public.

But a religious structure may not be protected if the case for its removal is currently pending in a court or other such circumstances as prescribed by the government.

The bill defines religious structures as temple, mosque, church, gurudwara bodh vihar, majar, etc. constructed on a public place without authority of law.

It overrides all previous orders, judgements, decree of any court, tribunal or authority. The bill allows the district administration to allow religious activity in such structures, subject to law or other conditions laid down by the state government.

Further, the bill prohibits the construction of any religious structure on public land in future and protects government officials from any legal proceedings arising out of the implementation of the law.

Reactions to the bill

The BJP national general secretary, CT Ravi, said, “We welcome the Karnataka government's decision. We would have avoided some issues if it was introduced earlier. Congress is doing drama over the issue”.

During the discussion of the bill, leader of opposition Siddaramaiah accused the government of having knowledge of the demolition but blaming it on officials.

He also accused the government of doing damage control.