look news india
Before the Delhi Assembly elections, the issue of salaries of Imams, Pandits and Granthis has become the center of political debate. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has promised to give honorarium of ₹ 18,000 every month to the priests of temples and granthis of gurudwaras if it forms the government for the fourth time. On the other hand, around 250 Imams of the Waqf Board have been visiting the residence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the issue of pending salaries for the last 17 months.
On this issue, All India Imam Association (AIMIM) chief Sajid Rashidi launched a scathing attack on the Kejriwal government and alleged that the Imams were harmed by trapping them in the web of promises.
Rashidi’s allegation: ‘We were cheated’
Sajid Rashidi explained in detail in an interview how the policies of the AAP government proved to be harmful for him.
- Pending salary issue:
“After the coming of Kejriwal government, salaries were not received for six consecutive months. Even when it was received, it was with a delay of 5-6 months. There is no shortage of money, yet this behavior is happening with the Imams.”
- Cheating with the permanent Imams of Waqf Board:
“In 2020, Kejriwal ji announced to pay salaries to all the Imams, but using this as an excuse, the rights of the permanent Imams of the Waqf Board were taken away. Turned us from permanent to temporary.”
- Salary promised to Imams of private mosques:
“A grant of Rs 37 crore was approved, but what happened to it, only the government and the chairman of the Waqf Board know. By stopping the salaries of the permanent Imams, we were made temporary.”
“Grants and priests are being deceived”
Sajid Rashidi criticizes AAP government’s plan to give honorarium to priests and priests ‘Political move’ told.
- No help needed for glands:
“Gurdwaras are financially viable. They do not need government help. But the priests are being lured by promises of money so that their followers are influenced.”
- Future of election promises:
“There is no guarantee whether these promises will be fulfilled after the elections or not. This is just like women were registered and later the department said that there is no such scheme.”
Rashidi’s attack on AAP government: ‘It is not respect, it is googly’
Rashidi said that the announcements being made by the AAP government for Imams, Granths, and priests are only a ploy to confuse the public.
- Impact on the status of Imams:
“When namaz worshipers come to know that the imam did not receive salary, it directly impacts the image of the imam.”
- Taunt on the government:
“Kejriwal ji would have given us only ₹10,000, but would not have weakened us by removing us from the permanent position.”
Political influence and election stakes
The AAP government has tried to woo religious communities by promising to pay honorarium to priests and priests ahead of the upcoming elections.
- Criticism of BJP:
BJP gave it to AAP election trick Told and raised questions as to why the pending salaries have not been paid to the Imams yet. - AAP’s stance:
Arvind Kejriwal and his government described the scheme as part of their commitment towards religious communities.