Kejriwal visits temple, launches Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday launched the ‘Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana’ at Hanuman Temple in Kashmiri Gate here.

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The AAP chief, along with his wife Sunita Kejriwal, performed rituals at the temple and registered the temple’s Mahant under the scheme.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi visited Gurdwara Sahib in Karol Bagh and registered Granthis under the scheme.

Sharing snippets from his visit to Marghat Wale Baba Temple to inaugurate the scheme, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal wrote on X: “Today, I visited Marghat Wale Baba Temple near the ISBT and launched the ‘Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana’. Today is the birthday of Mahant ji here. I also celebrated his birthday with him. The BJP tried its best to stop the registration process, but no one can stop a devotee from meeting his god.”

In another post on X, he said: “Since the announcement of the ‘Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana’, BJP leaders have been hurling abuses at me… Your party (BJP) governs 20 states, including Gujarat, where you’ve ruled for 30 years. Why haven’t you honored pujaris and granthis there? Start now — I’ve shown you the way. Instead of abusing me, implement this scheme across your states so that everyone benefits.”

The CM said: “During registration, granthis blessed Kejriwal and me, saying this is the first time since Maharaja Ranjit Singh that a government has thought of granthis. Pujaris and granthis are with us through life’s joys and sorrows. It is the government’s duty to care for them. When the AAP will form the government in Delhi, every pujari and granthi will receive Rs 18,000 monthly honorarium.”

BJP calls Kejriwal ‘chunavi Hindu’

The BJP on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on Arvind Kejriwal over the “Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana”, calling him “chunavi (electoral) Hindu”. Addressing a press conference, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia dubbed the announcement of Rs 18,000 monthly honorarium to temple and gurdwara priests as yet another “false promise” by the AAP, claiming the former chief minister knows that his “political life” is coming to an end. The BJP leader also accused Kejriwal of using children for political gains, charging him with practising “petty, cheap and dirty” politics. “Delhi’s ruling party has not removed a post showing some children raising pro-Kejriwal slogans, despite the National Human Rights Commission raising serious concerns on the matter. Such depiction of children is a violation of the Juvenile Act and the Election Commission guidelines,” he said.