In a move aimed at strengthening his support base ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chief Arvind Kejriwal announced a new scheme offering ₹18,000 as a monthly honorarium to Hindu and Sikh priests. The initiative, named the “Pujari, Granthi Samman Yojana,” will be launched by Kejriwal at the Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place on Tuesday, with registration for priests and granthis set to begin soon after.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Kejriwal highlighted the crucial role that temple priests and gurdwara granthis play in maintaining cultural traditions and serving the community. “These religious leaders contribute immensely to society, yet no government or political party has paid attention to their well-being,” said Kejriwal. He stressed that priests are integral to preserving rituals and promoting spiritual values. The AAP leader further mentioned that after the registration at the Hanuman Mandir, his party’s MLAs, candidates, and workers would assist in registering priests and granthis across temples and gurdwaras in Delhi.
This announcement comes shortly after the Delhi Cabinet approved the “Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana” on December 12, which provides ₹1,000 per month to women. Kejriwal also revealed that, if the AAP returned to power, the allowance for women would be increased to ₹2,100 per month.
However, the registration drive for the women’s scheme has sparked controversy. On December 25, the Delhi women and child development department issued a notice warning AAP against the registration drive, stating that the scheme was not yet formally notified. In response, AAP accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of sending police officers to disrupt the registration camps, a claim that further fueled tensions between the two parties.
On Monday, Kejriwal urged the BJP not to interfere with the registration process for priests and granthis under the new scheme. “I request the BJP not to stop the registration of pujaris and granthis under the scheme. If you do, it will anger the God. The priests and granthis act as a bridge between the people and God, delivering our prayers to Him. Sending police to trouble them will bring misfortune upon you,” Kejriwal warned. He also referred to the BJP’s attempts to halt the women’s scheme, which he claimed had failed to stop the registration.
When questioned about the funding for the scheme, Kejriwal assured that there would be no shortage of resources. “I will ensure that there is no dearth of funds for this scheme,” he stated confidently.
Hindu and Sikh priests are influential figures in Delhi’s religious communities, particularly in constituencies with a large Sikh population. With several constituencies having a significant number of Sikh voters, this scheme is seen as a strategic move to garner their support in the upcoming elections.