New Delhi, May 10, 2026: A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking legal recognition, fair wages, and employment safeguards for priests and support staff serving in temples administered by state governments across India.
The petition urges the apex court to direct authorities to classify temple priests, pujaris, and other workers in government controlled religious institutions as formal employees, making them eligible for statutory labour rights, including minimum wages, social security benefits, pensions, and regulated service conditions.
According to the plea, thousands of individuals working in such temples continue to face economic insecurity due to inconsistent remuneration, absence of legal employment status, and lack of access to welfare measures available to workers in other organized sectors.
The petitioner argues that despite performing essential religious and administrative duties, temple personnel in many state regulated shrines remain outside the framework of labour legislation, resulting in financial hardship and exploitation.
The case also raises constitutional concerns regarding equal treatment and dignity of labour, requesting judicial intervention to ensure uniform protections for those engaged in temple services under state supervision.
If admitted for substantive hearing, the PIL could have significant implications for employment standards in religious institutions managed by public authorities, potentially reshaping labour policies for temple workers nationwide.
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