Bengaluru: The recent Karnataka budget tabled by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has drawn flak by the opposition, the BJP.
They are critical of the budget increasing remuneration for Pesh Imams (Muslim priests) from Rs 3100 to Rs 4000 and for Muezzins from Rs 2500 to Rs 3000.
“This discrimination may lead to unrest among the people. The government should consider everyone as one. The money should have been given to every community, which has not happened. Our party will definitely raise the issue on the floor of the house,” said Leader of the Opposition, Jagadish Shettar.
Congress, on the other hand, has criticised that BJP is raking up the Hindutva card as the state goes to polls in 2018. In 2015, the remuneration for Hindu priests was increased from Rs 24,000 to Rs 36,000 per annum, they said.
Karnataka Congress Working President, Dinesh Gundurao, said, “The BJP doesn’t have any issue to criticise the congress’ budget. We will give a befitting reply to BJP on the floor of the House. Our government increased the remuneration for Hindu priests just a year back, but the Muslim community or leaders didn’t protest then. It is only the BJP who are politicising the issue.”
Earlier, Siddaramaiah met several Hindu priests and promised to further increase the remuneration in the coming days.
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