Image Source: Deccan Herald
Key Announcements and Big Picture
Karnataka government, under Minority Affairs Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, has issued a historic order: chief priests of 1,043 Jain temples statewide will now receive a fixed monthly salary of Rs 6,000, while assistant priests are set at Rs 5,000 per month
The move is seen as a long-pending recognition of the Jain community's spiritual leaders and addresses long-standing concerns over meager government support for religious functionaries of minority faiths
The new provision was announced in the recent state budget and formalized by instructions to approve all pending proposals received to date
Policy Details and Rollout
The order covers applications received from Jain temples across various districts—ensuring broad-based impact for over a thousand temples and their religious staff
Payments will be routed through the Minority Welfare department, with the first round of disbursements expected in the coming fiscal quarter
Alongside this, the state government allotted Rs 1 crore for the Mahabodhi Society in Gandhi Nagar, supporting Buddhist heritage and interfaith harmony
Historical Background and Calls for Reform
For years, Jain priests had raised grievances about minimal or symbolic monthly allowances—reports highlighted some receiving as little as Rs 160, prompting comparisons with daily wage laborers and other temple staff under the Muzrai department's purview
Representatives from the priestly community have continued to demand a monthly honorarium closer to Rs 12,000 plus benefits such as medical insurance, educational loans for their children, proper shelter, and extension of retirement age
The present move is thus both a response to urgent economic realities and a step towards parity with religious staff from other denominations
Community and State Reactions
Jain religious leaders and temple associations have largely welcomed the initiative, describing it as essential for ensuring the dignity, social security, and well-being of priests who sustain Karnataka’s rich Jain heritage
Some priests, however, point out that while the salary is a significant step up, it still falls short of actual living costs—especially in remote or rural areas with small congregations and low temple income
State officials acknowledge these concerns and hint at future reviews based on budget resources and further dialogue with all religious communities
Broader Context: Budget and Social Equity
The Karnataka state budget 2025-26 introduced increases in honorariums for several minority and marginalized worker categories, including anganwadi helpers, cooks, Sikh grantis, Pesh-Imams, and muezzins
Minority Affairs Minister Khan stresses that these measures are aimed at promoting religious harmony, protecting cultural heritage, and affirming the state's role as a supporter of Karnataka's diverse faith landscape
The orders align with government policy of incrementally raising honorariums to combat inflation and provide dignity in public service roles
Looking Ahead
With baseline salaries now established, Jain priests look forward to additional welfare measures and resources to support temple upkeep and religious education
Ongoing engagement between religious leaders and the government is expected to shape the next round of policy improvements
Karnataka’s decision may set a benchmark for similar initiatives in other states, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and respect for all religious practitioners
Sources: Deccan Herald, Vartha Bharati, Times of India, Karnataka Budget Documents, PTI
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