During the hearing, the Court made its disinclination clear, remarking,"Mandiron ke pujari ke chakkar mein matt padiye (Don’t interfere in the affairs of temple priests).
(Do you know how much temple priests earn) We are not entertaining this."
Upadhyay referred to observations of the Allahabad High Court on ensuring minimum wages for temple staff to enable a dignified life.
He argued that while several temples are under State control, similar regulatory frameworks do not apply to mosques or churches.
"The Allahabad High Court says minimum wages so that they can lead a dignified life.
A Bench comprising of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta initially dismissed the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate and BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay.
However, it later permitted Upadhyay's request to withdraw the plea and pursue remedies before appropriate authorities.
During the hearing, the Court made its disinclination clear, remarking,
"Mandiron ke pujari ke chakkar mein matt padiye (Don’t interfere in the affairs of temple priests). Aapko pata hai pujari kitna paisa kamate hai? (Do you know how much temple priests earn) We are not entertaining this."
Upadhyay referred to observations of the Allahabad High Court on ensuring minimum wages for temple staff to enable a dignified life. He argued that while several temples are under State control, similar regulatory frameworks do not apply to mosques or churches.
"The Allahabad High Court says minimum wages so that they can lead a dignified life. This is a nationwide issue. Not a single mosque or church is under state control," he said.
However, the Bench declined to intervene.
"Allow me to withdraw it and approach the authorities," asked Upadhyay ultimately.
