New Delhi: Ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, Arvind Kejriwal, the chief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), launched a new welfare initiative aimed at supporting temple priests and Gurudwara granthis.
The program, named the “Pujari, Granthi Samman Yojana,” promises a monthly honorarium of around Rs 18,000 for those serving in these religious roles.
However, Kejriwal made it clear that the scheme would only be implemented if the AAP emerges victorious in the upcoming elections. He pointed out the historical neglect of priests and granthis, who have long upheld religious practices and traditions despite personal and financial hardships.
Describing the initiative as a first-of-its-kind welfare measure in India, Kejriwal emphasized the vital role that priests and granthis play in helping people connect with their faith, especially during important religious events.
The new scheme, Kejriwal said, is part of AAP’s broader agenda of progressive policies, including the improvement of education and healthcare, and the introduction of free bus travel for women in Delhi. He also expressed hope that other states, led by BJP and Congress, would follow suit in providing similar support to religious figures.
In a separate remark, Kejriwal accused the BJP of attempting to derail the Mahila Samman Yojana by filing false cases and using police force. He assured that registrations for the program were still ongoing.
