The BJP in Tamil Nadu has harked back to its old formula of Hindutva politics after failing to form an alliance of any significance. The BJP has in its manifesto which was released last week has stated that apart from its long-time pet projects such as protection of cows, the party this time went more adventurous.
The section was titled as “Independent functioning of Hindu temples” was the biggest after the one for education and was occupying almost two pages and the party wants to give the administration of temples which is now under the control of the State Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department to a committee consisting of religious elders, scholars and former judges.
The manifesto has also promised the implementation of a 1958 GO that has barred leasing of temple lands to non-Hindus and the most bizarre assurance was an immediate halt to community feats arranged in temples on birth anniversaries of atheists. Goshala would be established in temples and prasadams would be made only from ghee of the cows from the Goshala.
The party has also promised the reservation on the basis of income and the Congress has reacted immediately and has called the promise as a challenge to the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes and it has told when converts were being brought under reserved categories has affected the Hindus already in the group.
