Demand to Ban Pre-Wedding Shoots in Temples to Protect Sanctity; Memorandum Submitted to Minister Ramalinga Reddy
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Mandira Mahasangha has urged the state government to impose a complete ban on pre-wedding photo and video shoots inside temples, citing concerns over the sanctity and dignity of religious places. A formal memorandum was submitted to Religious Endowment Minister Ramalinga Reddy demanding strict legal measures.
Temples across Karnataka are considered symbols of faith, culture, and spiritual heritage. They serve as sacred spaces for devotees, representing devotion, peace, and tradition. The organisation emphasized that such places must not be misused for activities like pre-wedding shoots, which often violate the decorum of religious institutions.
The demand comes in the wake of a recent incident at Bettada Bhairaveshwara Temple in Sakleshpur, Hassan district, where individuals allegedly conducted a pre-wedding shoot inside the temple premises wearing footwear and engaging in inappropriate behavior. Reports also indicated that temple priests and local devotees who objected were subjected to abusive language, triggering widespread outrage.
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The Mahasangha stated that similar incidents are increasingly being reported across the state, where temple premises are being used for reels, photography, and promotional content without permission, often involving indecent attire and conduct. Such acts not only hurt religious sentiments but also contribute to the commercialization of sacred spaces.
Citing legal provisions, the organisation highlighted that such actions may amount to serious offences under multiple laws. Articles 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution guarantee religious freedom and the right to manage religious institutions, which can be violated by such activities. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), offences like desecration of religious places (Section 298), deliberate insult to religious beliefs (Section 299), public nuisance (Section 270), and intentional insult causing breach of peace (Section 352) are punishable. Additionally, the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997 mandates authorities to preserve temple discipline and sanctity.
The organisation has put forward several key demands, including a complete ban on pre-wedding shoots in temples under the Endowment Department, issuance of clear guidelines on photography and videography, strict legal action against violators, and empowering temple authorities and security personnel to enforce rules. It also called for installation of signboards at temple entrances clearly stating the prohibition and enhanced monitoring of misuse of temple premises on social media platforms.
Members present during the submission included State Organiser Mohan Gowda, former Director of Karnataka State Brahmin Development Board Raghavendra Bhat, Director of Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Sangha B.N. Mahesh, along with Srinivas, Vikram Shetty, Purushotham, and others.
Responding to the memorandum, Minister Ramalinga Reddy assured that the matter would be reviewed and appropriate action would be taken soon.
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