Court Denies Plea for Temple Priests' Wage Review

The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a plea for reviewing the wages of priests and temple staff in state-controlled temples. The petitioner argued for a judicial commission to address the issue, citing systemic exploitation and non-compliance with minimum wage laws, but the court suggested alternative legal remedies.

The Supreme Court dismissed a plea on Monday that sought the establishment of a judicial commission or expert committee to review the wages and benefits of priests and temple staff in state-controlled temples.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta ruled that the petition could not be entertained under Article 32 of the Constitution, suggesting that those affected could pursue legal remedies directly. The plea filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay called for intervention, pointing to judgments from the Allahabad High Court and others emphasizing fair wages for dignified living for temple staff.

Despite reports of systemic exploitation and protests in states like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana over minimum wages, the court recommended withdrawing the petition to explore alternative legal avenues. The issue highlights the ongoing struggle for fair compensation amid state-controlled temple administration.