The Supreme Court declined a PIL seeking a uniform wage and welfare framework for priests, sevadars, and temple staff in state-controlled temples. The bench, led by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, refused to interfere in the matter. Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, who filed the plea, was not entertained by the court.
Upadhyay requested to withdraw the petition after the court showed reluctance to address the issue. The bench, headed by Justice Vikram Nath, dismissed the matter upon withdrawal. The court’s order recorded the petitioner’s request to withdraw the plea with liberty to approach the appropriate authorities.
The plea had urged the Centre and state governments to establish a commission to review wages and service conditions of temple workers. It also sought to classify priests and temple staff as “employees” under the Code on Wages, 2019. The petition highlighted the meager remuneration and lack of welfare protections for temple workers in various states.
Referring to constitutional provisions, the plea argued that denying fair wages to temple staff violated their fundamental rights. It cited statutory frameworks in states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala to support its claims. The plea emphasized the need for intervention by the apex court due to the nationwide implications of the issue.
