As election fever runs high in Karnataka, with the state going to polls next weekend (12 May), both the major parties are leaving no stone unturned to woo the voters. The Bharatiya Janata Party today (4 May) launched its election manifesto, titled ‘BJPVachana4Karnataka’.

Among the list of vachanas (promises), the party has claimed that it will ensure a host of measures for the protection of culture, especially with respect to freeing temples from government interference.

The manifesto listed out these measures that the party says it will take up:

1. Ensure no interference by the government in temple administration and maintenance

2. Ensure temple revenue is used only and fully for expenditure on temples and related religious institutions

3. Set up a Rs 500 crore “Devalaya Punnaruthana Fund” for the restoration and renovation of temples and mathas

4. Ensure all bodies formed to administer Hindu religious institutions consist solely of the members of the Hindu community