A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed by the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) against the Andhra Pradesh government’s move to pay monthly salary to Christian pastors out of the public exchequer.
The Jagan Mohan Reddy government had issued an order dated May 14, 2021 to introduce payment of monthly honorarium for Christian priests.
The government order states that the extension of payment to those working in churches is similar to the support give to temple archakas (priests) imams working in mosques.
However, this is an incorrect comparison as the G.O. clearly states that the quantum of payment to temple priests is based on the grade of the temple which, in turn, depends on the income generated by the temple. Thus, it implies that the Hindu temple archakas are not paid by the state exchequer.
By mentioning that the enhancement of honorarium for Hindu temple archakas in the GO, the Andhra Pradesh government appears to create an impression that the state exchequer is supporting them too, which isn’t the case.
In light of the legal activism collective has filed a PIL against the Andhra government’s move.
We filed Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Hon'ble High Court of Andhra Pradesh challenging the State Government's decision of paying monthly salaries to Christian Pastors out of Public Exchequer through its GO MS No. 52 dt.14-05-2021. pic.twitter.com/Rf27KCyWJI
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) September 16, 2021
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