Consortium of Karnataka temples pitches for dress code in shrines in accordance with Indian culture

Bengaluru: A Consortium of Karnataka Temples, Maths, and Religious Organisations has mooted the idea of implementing a dress code by Indian culture in more than 500 temples all over the state, including 50 in Bengaluru.

The consortium has also decided to appeal to the State Hindu Religious Endowments Minister Ramalinga Reddy to implement a dress code in temples under the control of the endowment department.

In a statement, Mohan Gowda, convener of the ‘Karnataka Devasthana-Matha Mattu Dharmika Sansthegala Mahasangha’, said, “Today, when the dress code is enforced in the temples, some progressives, rationalists, proponents of freedom of expression are crying hoarse; but they do not object to the clothes of Christian pastors who wear white trouser robes, mullahs-clerics who wear short pajamas or Muslim women who wear black veils.”

As per the dress code, men are not allowed in shorts, Bermuda, torn jeans, or T-shirts showing chests and women will not be allowed inside the temples in shorts, midi, or torn jeans as well.

The board will also appeal to devotees not to enter temples clad in indecent, vulgar dresses. It also maintains that protecting the sanctity of the temple is the bounden religious duty.

Karnataka Temples-Mutts and Religious Institutions Association had convened a meeting of priests and trustees of all temples last month and decided to implement the rule in January.

An appeal was made earlier and Hindu organisations supported the decision. A dress code campaign for temples will also be launched by installing a board in this regard in front of the Sri Laxmi Venkataramana temple in Vasanth Nagar in Bengaluru.