Clash Over Temple Funds: A Battle of Allegations in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur clashed over alleged diversion of temple funds. Sukhu accused Thakur of misusing temple money for personal schemes, while Thakur countered that funds were for cow shelters. Both leaders exchanged accusations involving government schemes and temple offerings.

In Himachal Pradesh, a heated exchange erupted between Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur over the alleged diversion of temple funds. Sukhu accused the BJP leader of diverting Rs 28 crore from temples for his programs, prompting a rebuttal from Thakur, who insisted that the funds were restricted to 15 per cent and designated for cow shelters.

Sukhu contended that the temple funds are purpose-specific, aimed at developmental projects like housing and road construction, and claimed the government has not utilized them for its schemes while enhancing state revenue by shutting corruption channels. The Chief Minister criticized Thakur for politicizing every issue and attempting to deflect attention from substantive concerns.

Thakur, however, maintained that the government intended to use temple funds for Sukh Ashray and Sukh Shiksha schemes, describing it as financial misappropriation. He alleged that even temples lacking funds, like Hanogi in Mandi district, were coerced to contribute, undermining his previous government's policies that supported temple-run cow shelters.

(With inputs from agencies.)