The West Bengal government has discontinued monthly financial assistance provided to imams, muezzins, and Hindu priests, with beneficiaries receiving their last payments in May. The decision follows a cabinet meeting last month where a proposal to end religion-based assistance schemes was approved.
Background of the Scheme
The honorarium for imams and muezzins was introduced by the former Trinamool Congress government in 2012, while financial assistance for Hindu priests (purohits) was launched in September 2020. Under the scheme, imams received a monthly honorarium of Rs 3,000, while muezzins and purohits received Rs 2,000 each.
Initially, payments were made directly from the state exchequer, but the Calcutta High Court later struck down this arrangement. Subsequently, funds were routed through the West Bengal Board of Auqaf, which disbursed the honorarium to imams and muezzins.
Government's Decision
A government official stated after the cabinet meeting that financial help to imams, muezzins, and purohits is being discontinued. A fresh notification will be issued listing the schemes that are being stopped. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari defended the move, saying it is the government's responsibility to provide financial support to religious functionaries.
According to official figures, the minority affairs and madrasah education department was providing financial assistance to 41,205 imams and 39,028 muezzins. The information and cultural affairs department was extending similar assistance to nearly 5,000 Hindu priests.
Reactions from Beneficiaries
Several beneficiaries confirmed that the stipend was not credited to their bank accounts on the first of the month. Religious functionaries and their organizations largely welcomed the government's decision.
Bakibillah Molla, president of the All India Imam Association, said, 'We welcome the new government's decision to discontinue the stipend of imams and priests. We hope the government will work for all citizens without discrimination based on caste, community, or religion.' He added that imams will continue to fulfill their societal role.
Abdullah Gaji, imam of a mosque in Reckjoani, Rajarhat, noted that the assistance was not sought by religious leaders. 'We did not ask for a stipend. The previous government decided on its own. Now the new government has discontinued it, which is fine,' he said.
Representatives of Hindu priests also backed the decision. Gopal Mukherjee, a member of the Bangiya Purohit Samaj, said, 'We support the government's decision. The government must work for all sections of society.'
Jayanta Kushary, principal of Sarba Bharatiya Prachya Vidya Academy, which organizes training camps for Durga Puja priests, argued that governments should not provide allowances to religious functionaries. 'It is a serious crime. Instead, the government should focus on employment generation for youths,' he said.
However, Rajib Banerjee, a former state minister and Trinamool Congress leader who played a key role in initiating financial assistance for purohits, expressed concern. 'It is the decision of the present government to discontinue this scheme. However, poor purohits will be severely impacted,' he said.
