Chunavi Hindu: BJP Mocks Arvind Kejriwal Over AAP's Rs 18,000 Aid for Priests

New Delhi: The Delhi BJP has launched a scathing attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal , accusing him of using religion for electoral gains. Labeling him a "Chunavi Hindu" (a Hindu only during elections), the party took to social media to criticize Kejriwal’s announcement of the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana, which promises Rs 18,000 as financial aid to Hindu priests and granthis.  

The BJP’s Delhi unit shared a poster on X (formerly Twitter), mocking Kejriwal’s sudden focus on Hindu welfare. “The man who has spent the last decade paying salaries to Imams, opposed the construction of the Ram Temple, and allowed liquor shops to operate near temples and gurdwaras, is now pretending to care for priests and granthis. This is nothing but anti-Hindu politics dressed up for elections,” the Delhi BJP wrote.  

The announcement of aid for Hindu priests comes at a time when Kejriwal and AAP are under fire for failing to pay salaries to Imams and Moazzins in Delhi. 

The AAP government is facing severe backlash from Delhi’s Muslim clerics after announcing the ‘Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana’ to provide salaries to Hindu priests. Imams and Moazzins, who claim they have been awaiting their unpaid dues for months, have called the move ‘a slap on the face of Muslims.’  

Protests Over Pending Salaries  

Angry protests have erupted across the city, with several Maulanas accusing the Delhi government of turning a blind eye to their plight. “We have been protesting for months, demanding our pending salaries, but instead of addressing our concerns, they announce money for Hindu priests,” said an Imam leading the demonstrations.  

AIMIM Leader Slams Kejriwal

AIMIM Delhi President Shoaib Jamai joined the protests, strongly condemning the AAP government. “Arvind Kejriwal has promised Rs 18,000 as salary to Hindu priests, which we have no objection to. But what about us? Imams and Moazzins have not been paid for 17 months. This is shameful and an insult to the Muslim community that once trusted Kejriwal as their savior,” he said.  

17 Months Without Pay

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has criticized Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP government over pending salaries and unfulfilled promises, accusing them of prioritizing freebies over genuine commitments. Poonawalla shared an RTI response on X (formerly Twitter), which revealed that Waqf Board-appointed Imams and Moazzins have not been paid salaries since May 2022, while non-Waqf counterparts have been awaiting dues since January 2021.  

“We have seen many Maulanas protesting outside Kejriwal’s residence and the CM’s house over 17 months of unpaid salaries. Why hasn’t this issue been resolved yet?” Poonawalla questioned.  

Adding fuel to the controversy, AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar claimed the delay was due to Kejriwal's jail term. “What is stopping them now?” Poonawalla retorted, demanding accountability from the government.  

Timing Raises Eyebrows  

The announcement of the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana, which promises Rs 18,000 salaries to Hindu priests, has raised questions about its timing. Poonawala has pointed out that the scheme comes after ten years of AAP’s rule in Delhi, accusing it of being a political ploy.  

“Why announce this scheme now, after a decade in power? Why wasn’t it implemented on day one?” Poonawalla asked in his tweet, calling it a "gimmick" to win public favor.  

Punjab Promise Still Unfulfilled

Poonawalla also highlighted AAP’s unfulfilled promises in Punjab, including the assurance of Rs 1,000 per month to every woman in the state. “Not a single rupee has been paid to women in Punjab. This is yet another fraud by Kejriwal to mislead the public,” Poonawalla said on X.