New Delhi, Dec 30 (UNI) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced the Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana, promising an ₹18,000 monthly honorarium for temple priests (Pujari) and Gurudwara priests (Granthi) in Delhi if voted back to power.
Addressing the media, Kejriwal highlighted the sacrifices made by the priestly community.
“They have preserved our values, rituals, and cultural heritage. But they have often done this while neglecting their own families. Sadly, we, as a society, have never acknowledged their contributions,” he said.
“We visit temples and participate in prayers, but we have never paid attention to the needs of the priests. Through this scheme, I do not wish to call this an income or a salary. It is, in fact, a token of respect. I am announcing that an honorarium of ₹18,000 per month will be provided to these individuals. Upon the formation of our government, this initiative will be implemented,” Kejriwal said.
“This is happening for the first time in the history of this country. No political party or government has ever taken such a step before. Just like we took several unprecedented measures in Delhi—improving schools, enhancing hospitals, and providing free bus travel for women—this too is a pioneering step,” he asserted.
“I hope that the BJP and Congress governments will learn from this initiative and introduce similar schemes in their respective states to honor priests and granthis. The registration for this scheme will start tomorrow,” Kejriwal said.
To kick off the registration process, AAP chief shared that he would visit the Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place to personally register the priests. Following this, all AAP MLAs, candidates, and workers across Delhi will begin registering priests and granthis in temples and Gurudwaras.
Making the announcement, Kejriwal also cautioned the BJP against derailing the plan, describing any interference as a “great sin.”
“I sincerely appeal to the BJP not to obstruct this scheme, as they have tried to do with others in the past. They sent police and filed false cases to block the ‘Mahila Samman Yojana,’ but failed. They tried to stop the ‘Sanjeevani Yojana’ but could not. I request them not to create obstacles for this scheme for priests and granthis. Harassing or opposing this initiative would be a grave sin. They have already committed many wrongs, for which they will bear the consequences, but obstructing this scheme will only add to their sins,” he said.
During the announcement, Delhi CM Atishi, Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, and MLA Jarnail Singh were also present.
Senior AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia thanked Arvind Kejriwal for the announcement.
“When the Aam Aadmi Party government is formed, the priests of temples and the granthis of Gurudwara Sahib will be given their rights by providing an honorarium of ₹18,000 per month.
Respect for the culture and religious institutions of Delhi has always been Arvind Kejriwal’s priority,” he tweeted.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi also tweeted, “When the Aam Aadmi Party forms the government in Delhi again, temple priests and Gurudwara granthis who have been preserving and carrying forward our culture and civilization for generations will be given an honorarium of ₹18,000 per month. Arvind Kejriwal Ji’s decision is not only a tribute to the service of the priests and granthis but also a resolve to preserve our heritage.”
