Madras High Court Orders Fair Wages for Temple Employees
TL;DR
- The Madras High Court mandates living wages for HR&CE temple staff.
- Current pay scales at some temples fall below the national minimum wage.
- The court ruled that linking salaries to individual temple income violates fundamental rights.
- The HR&CE Commissioner must submit an action report within two months.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has instructed the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department to guarantee living wages for all temple employees. Justices G.R. Swaminathan and P. Murugan noted that current compensation at many locations is insufficient for basic survival.
The court observed that some staff members earn less than the national daily minimum wage of ₹176. Judges stated that tying employee pay to a specific temple's revenue creates an unfair system that infringes upon the constitutional right to life and liberty.
The bench criticized the HR&CE Department for failing to address these poor working conditions. Officials have been directed to develop a system to ensure fair remuneration, with the court suggesting the use of technology and social media to help support these efforts.
The Commissioner of the HR&CE Department is required to take immediate action and submit a report detailing the steps taken within two months. This directive follows a public interest litigation petition that requested salaries for temple staff be standardized in line with government employees.
Why It Matters
This ruling highlights the legal and ethical responsibilities of religious administrative bodies in ensuring fair labor practices. It underscores the ongoing debate regarding the treatment of temple staff and the state's role in guaranteeing constitutional rights for workers, regardless of the financial status of their specific religious institutions.
Oct 31, 2026 · Updated 10/31/2026, 3:37:51 PM · Reported with: The Hindu
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The Hindu — Ensure living wage is paid to staff of HR&CE temples: HCUp next · Community
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