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PIL in SC for reviewing wages of priests, sevadars and temple staff in govt.-controlled temples
A public interest litigation filed in the Supreme Court seeks to direct the Centre and States to form a judicial commission or expert committee to review wages and benefits for priests, sevadars, and temple staff in state-controlled temples. The petition argues that temples under state control create an employer-employee relationship and calls for dignified wages, citing past incidents and protests.
Why It Matters
The case could shape how wage laws apply to temple staff under state custody, potentially affecting livelihood rights and welfare measures for thousands of workers across temples.
Timeline
3 Events
PIL filed in Supreme Court seeking review of temple wages
May 10, 2026
A plea filed in the Supreme Court by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay seeks directions to the Centre and States to constitute a judicial commission or expert committee to review the remuneration and other benefits for priests, sevadars and temple staff in state-controlled temples. The petition also seeks a declaration that priests and temple staff are employees under the Code on Wages 2019 and cites the need to ensure dignified wages, pointing to protests in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and to past Allahabad High Court judgments.
Cause of action accrual cited in PIL filing context
April 4, 2026
Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay traveled to Varanasi to attend a public programme and performed Rudrabhishek at the Kashi Vishwanath temple, which is state-controlled; he learned that even minimum wages are not provided to priests and temple staff, forming the basis for the petition.
Tamil Nadu temple circular on Dakshina
February 7, 2025
A Tamil Nadu department issued a circular at the Dhandayuthapani Swami Temple in Madurai prohibiting priests from accepting Dakshina in aarti plates. The circular was withdrawn due to public outrage, highlighting the state's control over temples but not mosques or churches.