Ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, Arvind Kejriwal, the former Chief Minister of Delhi and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), introduced the 'Pujari, Granthi Samman Yojana', a new initiative aimed at supporting the priests (Pujaris) of temples and the granthis (priests) of gurudwaras.
Under this scheme, these religious figures will receive a monthly honorarium of ₹18,000. The announcement, made by Kejriwal, is seen as a significant step towards recognising the contributions of these religious figures to society.
Saurabh Bhardwaj, a prominent AAP leader and Delhi Minister, responded positively to the announcement, highlighting that it is the moral responsibility of every political party to craft policies that address the needs of society.
Bhardwaj emphasised that Pujaris and Granthis, who play an integral role in preserving and passing down religious traditions, often live in poverty and deserve financial support.
He pointed out that these individuals typically live in modest conditions, often within small rooms attached to temples and gurudwaras, dedicating their lives to spiritual duties rather than pursuing lucrative careers.
According to Bhardwaj, most of the families of Pujaris and Granthis live in conditions that reflect the deep financial challenges they face. He stated, "If you visit the house of any pujari or granthi, you will find out that the whole family is living in a small room in the temple."
He went on to explain that many of these religious figures sacrifice the opportunity for their children to pursue professional careers, such as becoming doctors or engineers, in favour of preserving and continuing their religious traditions.
Bhardwaj also stressed the broader social responsibility of the government to support these individuals who have dedicated their lives to sustaining cultural practices. "They are like warriors preserving our tradition," he said.
The AAP leader further added that a significant portion of these individuals lives in poverty, and their financial difficulties are so severe that they often cannot afford basic medical treatment for their families.
Bhardwaj's comments underscore the necessity of providing economic assistance to a community that has often been overlooked.
The 'Pujari, Granthi Samman Yojana' is positioned as a part of AAP's broader welfare agenda, which includes various schemes for different sections of society.
Kejriwal has previously introduced initiatives such as the Sanjeevani Yojana, aimed at providing free healthcare to senior citizens, and the Mahila Samman Yojana, which offers financial assistance to women.
The new scheme for religious leaders aligns with these efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive society for all, especially those who have been serving the community for generations without sufficient financial support.
Kejriwal elaborated on the significance of the scheme during his announcement, stating, "Today I am making an important announcement regarding a scheme. The name of the scheme is Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana. Under this, there is a provision to give an honorarium to the priests of temples and the granthis of the Gurudwara. They will be given an honorarium of about Rs 18,000 per month."
This initiative marks a first-of-its-kind effort in the country to formally recognise and financially support those who uphold religious practices and cultural traditions across India.
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