Mangalore, July 21: The Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations has strongly condemned the “unconstitutional behavior” of the government of Karnataka in ordering poojas to be performed at temples for rains.
The condemnation comes a day after the BJP government sought “divine help” for rain and asked 37,000 temples in the state to conduct 'special poojas' that will cost Rs 18.5 crore. Muzrai Minister Kota Srinivasa Poojari said on Friday that a circular was already sent to the 37,000 temples under the Muzrai (Religious Endowment) department for 'special poojas' to propitiate rain gods.
“It is a colossal waste of public funds amounting to Rs 18.5 crores for a futile purpose. The minister could have spent that money for drought relief or for feeding starving people”, stated a press release issued by Narendra Nayak, president of the Federation.
“The Muzrai Minister is going against article 51 ah of the Indian constitution which states that it is the duty of every citizen to develop scientific temper and the spirit of inquiry. He is unfit to hold the office of a minister under the constitution of India which he is supposed to uphold” said the release.
“If Mr Poojari has so much faith in pujas let them be conducted in the Thar desert in April or May and let us see if it is going to rain”, Mr Nayak ridiculed.
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