SC refuses to hear PIL on temple priests' wages
New Delhi, May 18
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a public interest litigation seeking directions for framing a uniform wage and welfare framework for priests, sevadars, and temple staff working in state-controlled temples across the country.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta expressed disinclination to interfere in the matter and refused to entertain the plea filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, who appeared in person.
After the apex court indicated its unwillingness to examine the issue, Upadhyay sought permission to withdraw the petition with liberty to approach the appropriate authorities.
The Justice Vikram Nath-led Bench thereafter dismissed the matter as withdrawn.
"The petitioner seeks permission to withdraw the plea with liberty to approach the appropriate authorities. The petition is dismissed as withdrawn," the top court recorded in its order.
The plea had sought directions to the Centre and state governments to constitute a judicial commission or expert committee to review the wages and service conditions of priests, sevadars, and temple staff in temples under government control. The petition also sought a declaration that priests and temple staff fall within the definition of "employee" under Section 2(k) of the Code on Wages, 2019, making them entitled to minimum wages and other labour welfare protections.
The plea contended that once state governments assume administrative, financial and economic control over temples, an employer-employee relationship arises between temple administrations and priests or temple workers. It claimed that priests and temple staff in several states survive on "arbitrary honorariums, dakshina-based payments and meagre remuneration", often ranging between Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000 per month, without pension, healthcare or social security protections.
Referring to statutory frameworks governing temples in states such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala, the plea argued that governments exercise pervasive control over appointments, service conditions, disciplinary supervision, and temple revenues, while simultaneously denying labour welfare protections to temple workers.
The petition further relied on constitutional provisions under Articles 14 and 21, contending that denial of fair wages and dignified livelihood to priests and temple staff violates their fundamental rights.
Referring to judicial precedents, including observations of the Allahabad High Court on minimum wages for temple staff, the plea contended that the issue had nationwide implications and warranted intervention by the apex court.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I understand the court not wanting to interfere in temple matters, but this is about basic human dignity. Priests in government-controlled temples are employees in everything but name. They deserve pensions and healthcare like any other government worker.
Respectfully, I disagree. Temples are not businesses or government offices. Priests serve out of devotion, not for salary. If they want better pay, they can approach temple trusts or devotees. Why drag courts into spiritual matters? 😒
Finally someone raised this issue. In many temples, priests get honorariums less than what a daily wage labourer earns. They perform rituals, maintain temples, and guide devotees. How is this fair? Government should step in, even if SC didn't.
The advocate's argument about employer-employee relationship makes legal sense. If state governments control temple revenues and appointments, they should also bear responsibility for fair wages. Articles 14 and 21 are not just for corporate employees.
As an outsider looking in, this seems like a reasonable request. In many countries, religious workers in state-funded institutions get standard employment protections. The fact that priests make less than Rs 5,000 per month is concerning.
I'm not sure about uniform
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.