1. Our Trustee Shri @ShreehariK has filed a WP (PIL) in the Karnataka HC, seeking compensation to the Archakas [Poojaris] & Temple Servants.
2. There are around 35,500 temples in Karnataka which are categorized into 'A', 'B' and 'C' Categories. 'A' and 'B' are revenue-generating temples & the Goverment is paying salaries to its Archakas & Temple Servants in these temples
3. But the Temples in rural areas which constitute 99% of total temples don't generate revenue, so the Govt. does not pay them any monthly salary or emoluments. What is paid is a fixed sum of Rs.48,000/- p.a. or Rs. 131/- per day to take care of deity, temple and their family 
4. Resultantly, Archakas of these temples always live in penury & depend entirely on 'Dakshina' given by devotees. Now, in COVID-19 situation, no one visits temples & these Archakas are struggling for their life and have no means to carry out bare essential rituals for the deity
5. Therefore the Petition has been filed on the following broad grounds:
(a) That the Non-payment of salary/emoluments to Archaka/Temple Servant hits at the very nerve centre of the temple system as both Archakas and the Deity face existential threat..
(a) That the Non-payment of salary/emoluments to Archaka/Temple Servant hits at the very nerve centre of the temple system as both Archakas and the Deity face existential threat..
6. (b) Discrimination among Archakas/Temple Servants of Category ‘C’ vis-à-vis Categories ‘A’ & ‘B’ Temples results in violation of Fundamental Rights of the said Archakas/Temple Servants under Article 14 of the Constitution.
7. (c) Leaving the Deity vulnerable to vilification on account of the failure of bare-essential rituals result in the violation of Fundamental Rights of the Deity under Article 21 and Article 25 of the Constitution.
8. (d) The Karnataka Govt is responsible towards ensuring the healthy-survival of both Archakas and the Deity in Temples it has undertaken to manage [illegality of which is a separate qn altogether] 8/n
9. Despite the Archakas Union repeatedly requesting the Govt to provide relief to the struggling Archakas, the Govt has not done anything to alleviate their pathetic condition. Therefore an emergency petition has been filed seeking urgent relief to the Archakas in Karnataka.
