Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 26: Acharaya Sanjeev Shastri today demanded financial package for priests performing rituals in small temples without any monthly salary.
In a statement issued here, today he said it may be recalled that all temples and other places of worship have been shut down in J&K due to lockdown. “This has resulted in the loss of income for priests of smaller temples who are dependent on the offerings made by the devotees,” he added.
He said many priests do other jobs as it is not possible to earn enough only through rituals. Besides, they don’t have fixed rates for their services. Those who are wholly dependent on this profession for their earnings are facing more problems,” he said. The occurrence of several festivals in March and April ensures that priests are able to make a significant amount of earnings all of which have stopped after the lockdown. Temples are shut and rituals that would happen at home have also stopped. Weddings, which are a source of good income for the priests, scheduled in April, have been indefinitely postponed”, he added.
He said in worst of the worst times like these, it is our dharma to extend a helping hand to defend the lives of torchbearers’ of Indian civilization. He appealed LG, G C Murmu to assist priests of different temples in J&K by providing financial assistance for sustenance for their families during the lockdown period.
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