BJP’s attack, questions raised on paying salaries to clerics since 2013

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal recently announced that if his government remains in power in the state, priests and priests will be given an honorarium of Rs 18,000 every month. However, this announcement has given an opportunity to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to target. BJP has accused the AAP government of paying salaries to clerics and disturbing the religious balance.

BJP’s allegation: “When the land shifted, I remembered Ram-Ram”

Delhi BJP state president Virendra Sachdeva launched a scathing attack on Kejriwal, saying:

• “When the boat starts sinking, the name of Ram automatically comes to the tongue. Arvind Kejriwal has now started chanting the name of Ram.”
• He questioned why the priests and ministers were not recalled from 2013 to 2024.
• BJP claimed that the Delhi government has given Rs 58 crore 30 lakh 90 thousand as salary to the clerics since 2013.

BJP’s demonstration and legal fight

Virendra Sachdeva mentioned the movements and court cases conducted by BJP in favor of priests and priests.

• Demonstration and petition:
  In the last two years, BJP put pressure on Delhi government to pay salaries to priests and priests.
  • “We held dharnas and demonstrations.”
  • A petition was filed in the High Court in 2022.
• Court’s response:
  The court questioned the AAP government as to why salaries were being paid only to clerics.
• BJP’s new petition:
  In March 2024, the legal cell of BJP filed another petition raising questions on this discrimination.
  • Sachdeva told that this petition will be heard on 21st.

Allegation of paying salaries to clerics since 2013

BJP claims that the AAP government started paying salaries to clerics after coming to power in 2013.

• Sachdeva’s taunt:
  “Why were salaries taken away from the priests from 2013 till now? Now when the elections came, they started chanting the name of Ram.”
• He said that Kejriwal had opposed the Ram temple, but is now taking recourse to the name of Ram.

Kejriwal’s statement

Arvind Kejriwal made the announcement saying that the Delhi government will ensure honorarium for priests and priests alike.

• He argues that respecting all religions is his priority.
• However, BJP has termed it as an election agenda.

political equation

• BJP’s allegation:
  BJP says that this announcement has been made keeping in mind the upcoming elections.
• Your defense:
  The AAP government described its move as part of secularism and social balance.