Employment in religious institutions must be treated equally; tonsuring work is recognized as religious, warranting equal pay and benefits regardless of financial constraints.

JUDGMENT :

A. Hari Haranadha Sarma, J.

Introductory :-

This Writ Appeal is directed against the Order dated 12.09.2025 passed by the learned Single Judge of this Court in W.P.No.15232 of 2020.

2. The 4^th respondent in the Writ Petition, feeling aggrieved by the said orders, filed the present appeal with a prayer to set aside the orders of the learned singe Judge. Respondents No.1 to 6 herein are the writ petitioners and respondent No.7, 8 and 9 herein are the respondents 1 to 3 in the said Writ Petition.

3. Heard both sides extensively at admission stage.

4. For the sake of convenience, parties will be hereafter referred to as the writ petitioners and the respondents, as and how they are arrayed in the impugned orders.

Prayer in the Writ Petition:-

5. The writ petitioners sought the relief in the nature of Mandamus, declaring the action of respondents 1 to 4 in not granting the time scale to the petitioners, in terms of the orders of the Honourable Apex Court in State of Punjab and Ors. Vs. Jagit Singh and Ors., 2017(1) SCC 148 and consequential circular in Rc.No.A1/1726091/2018 dated 24.09.2018 issued by the 2^nd respondent as illegal, arbitrary, unjust and violative of articles 14, 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution of India and for consequential direction to the respondent No.3 to implement the circular dated 24.09.2018 and grant all consequential benefits including the back wages etc..

Case of Writ Petitioners:-

6. [i] The writ petitioners are the hereditary employees and barbers working in 3^rd respondent temple i.e., Sri Nemaligundla Ranganayaka Swamy Temple, Pullalacheruvu, Racherla Mandal, Prakasam District.

[ii] The temple was taken over by the Endowments Department on 01.04.1993. The department has recognised the hereditary employees of the temple and paying consolidated salary, they were given all benefits as hereditary employees and salaries have been enhanced to Rs.13,000/-.

[iii] The Writ petitioners have been working in the temple for several years but the salary is insufficient for maintenance of the family, for education of the children and medical expenses etc. They have no other livelihood except discharging their duties entrusted by the temple authorities. They have put in unblemished service of 27 years. They are entitled for the benefit of in terms of the judgment of the Hon’ble Apex Court in Jagit Singh and Ors.’ case [cited supra].

[iv] In terms of said judgment, the Commissioner of Endowments Department issued a circular in Rc.No.A1/1726091/2018, dated 24.09.2018 for implementation of the guidelines of Supreme Court, fixing the salaries in 6(a) temples concerned.

[v] According to the said circular, Archakas, Pandits and other religious staff with the various nomenclature employed and who have completed 5 years of service are entitled to Rs.15,000/-, who have completed 10years of service are entitled to Rs.17,000/-, who have completed 15 years of service are entitled for Rs.20,000/- and those who have completed 20 years of service are entitled for Rs.25,000/-, per month.

[vi] All the writ petitioners have completed 25 years of service, therefore, they are entitled for the benefit in terms of the circular.

[vii] The request of the writ petitioners for enhancement is not considered while granting the same to others. Hence, the same is violative of article 14, 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution of India and hence, they are constrained to file the preset writ petition, seeking the relief in terms of Writ of Mandamus, since their r