As the Delhi Assembly elections approach, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faces a significant setback, with Delhi’s pujaris rallying in support of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In a major political shift, numerous priests and saints from the pujari community abandoned the BJP’s ‘Mandir Prakoshth’ (temple cell) to join the AAP’s ‘Sanatan Seva Samiti’ on Wednesday.Inspired by the policies of AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, these religious leaders pledged their support to the party. The AAP Chief honored prominent saints, including Jagadguru Ramanujacharya Swami and Yogeshwaracharya Ji Maharaj, with shawls, describing their blessings as a profound inspiration for the AAP’s mission.Expressing his gratitude, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated, “Today, I consider myself extremely fortunate that our platform is graced by the presence of Jagatgurus, Mahamandaleshwars, and so many saints and spiritual leaders. I feel extremely fortunate and deeply believe that whatever happens is by the will of the Almighty. It is He who decides who should be chosen for which task. We are merely instruments in His hands.”The AAP Supremo continued, “The AAP was formed, and we established our government in Delhi, and the ‘Education Revolution’ began here. We thank the Almighty for choosing us to initiate this education revolution. A health revolution also began in Delhi, and significant improvements were made in the field of electricity. We express our gratitude to the Almighty for selecting us as His instruments in these endeavors.”Arvind Kejriwal further added that now, such a monumental effort is being undertaken for Sanatan Dharma. Those who work tirelessly for Sanatan Dharma—the pujaris, saints, and others—serve as a bridge between the people and God. “We have been given the opportunity to serve them, and we have been chosen as instruments for this purpose. For this, I consider myself and the AAP highly fortunate that God has chosen us for this work,” asserted the AAP Chief.He pointed out that as mentioned earlier by saints, the BJP has a ‘Mandir Prakoshth’ (temple cell). In this temple cell, they talk about what they will do, make many promises like, ‘We will do this’, ‘We will do that’, but they have done nothing. “The AAP, however, delivers on what it promises. Even if we take a little time to announce something, once we announce it, we ensure its implementation. As the saying goes, ‘Raghukul reet sada chali aayi, pran jaye par vachan na jaye’—once we commit to something, we fulfill it,” affirmed Arvind Kejriwal.The AAP Head stated, “What we are saying now, we will do, and we will implement. After the elections we will implement the ‘Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana’ in Delhi. The guidance of all saints and devotees of Sanatan Dharma will be vital. Following that guidance, we will carry this forward. I believe this is a great moment of pride and fortune for the AAP, and I express my heartfelt gratitude for this.”Senior AAP leader and cabinet minister, Saurabh Bharadwaj, said, “Today is a very significant day for the AAP. It is a matter of great honor for us that such eminent personalities have graced the premises of our party office today. This is a huge opportunity for us. I extend a warm welcome to Jagatguru Ramanujacharya Swami Yogeshwar Maharaj, Jagatguru Swami Avadhesh Prapannacharya Maharaj, International Kathavachak Acharya Madhurdas Maharaj, Balaji Dham Mahant Maheshchandra Maharaj, Acharya Shri Jaygovind Pandey, Mahamandaleshwar Jyotivalay Guruji, Sant Shravan Das Ji Maharaj, Granthi Sawender Singh, and Acharya Virendra Tripathi to the premises of the AAP office.”“Their presence here has blessed us. Today, we have among us great personalities who guide Sanatan Dharma across India and the world,” he added.Saurabh Bharadwaj further added that it is also a matter of great joy that several prominent individuals associated with the BJP’s ‘Mandir Prakoshth’ (temple cell) are with the AAP today. These individuals have been inspired by Arvind Kejriwal and are joining the AAP’s ‘Sanatan Seva Samiti’. This includes Vijay Sharma, Jitendra Sharma, Acharya Brijesh Sharma, Manish Gupta, Dushyant Sharma, Udaykant Jha, Virender, Shravan Das, and Sanjeev Sabharwal.The senior AAP leader further said, “I believe that Lord Shri Ram and Hanuman have immense blessings on Arvind Kejriwal. If anyone was chosen by God to begin giving monthly honorariums of ₹18,000 to pujaris in India, it is through the hands of Arvind Kejriwal.”During the event, Vijay Sharma stated, “For several years, we struggled for pujaris in Delhi to receive honorariums. We tried for three years within the BJP’s ‘Mandir Prakoshth’, but it was Arvind Kejriwal who announced a monthly honorarium of ₹18,000 for pujaris. When this announcement was made, our pujaris said it was the best initiative.”Vijay Sharma mentioned, “A question arose about how this honorarium would be given. When we met Arvind Kejriwal, he told us, ‘I am forming a Sanatan Seva Samiti. Be part of that committee and decide for yourselves how the honorarium should be distributed.’ Today, we are connected to such a transparent and clear leader. I want to tell Arvind Kejriwal to keep serving Sanatan Dharma with the same intention. We are all with you, and you will surely achieve victory.”Jitendra Sharma said: “Our sole objective when we began work with the ‘Mandir Prakoshth’ was to ensure that pujaris in Sanatan Dharma receive honorariums. For 75 years, pujaris below the poverty line lived in such conditions that they felt ashamed of their profession, questioning whether they should encourage their children to become pujaris. But when Arvind Kejriwal announced a monthly honorarium of ₹18,000 under the ‘Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana’, it brought a ray of hope to pujaris, showing them a future where they could proudly encourage their children to become pujaris. “I thank Arvind Kejriwal wholeheartedly for announcing the Priest-Granthi Samman Yojana. Along with announcing the honorarium, he also formed a committee to decide who should receive how much honorarium. Arvind Kejriwal has not only served Sanatan Dharma but also united Hindus and Sikhs by ensuring that Granthis will also benefit from this scheme,” said Jitendra Sharma.Meanwhile, Acharya Shri Brijesh Sharma said, “For the past 3.5 years, we have been working on a mission that is finally beginning today. Arvind Kejriwal has understood the plight of the pujari community. The announcement of the ‘Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana’ was beyond the imagination of the pujari community. There were many doubts about our scheme, but Arvind Kejriwal clearly said that as soon as our government is formed, this scheme will be implemented. Today, our entire organization stands firmly with Arvind Kejriwal.”International Kathavachak Acharya Shri Madhurdas Maharaj said, “I had discussions with Arvind Kejriwal regarding the ‘Sanatan Seva Samiti’. The entire city awaited him, but due to unforeseen delays, Arvind Kejriwal waited for 35 minutes for me. I had a 40-minute conversation with him, asking several questions. I asked whether the monthly ₹18,000 under the ‘Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana’ would be paid by the party or the government. Arvind Kejriwal said that the government would pay the honorarium and the scheme would be passed in the cabinet.“I further asked about the revenue for this scheme. He explained, ‘If you donate ₹2, you will receive ₹3 in return, and I firmly believe that donations for Sanatan Dharma, temples, and Brahmins will return one and a half times their value.’ His response answered all my questions. Arvind Kejriwal is not just giving an honorarium; he has announced dedicated service to Sanatan Dharma. I believe that before the grand Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Arvind Kejriwal has devoted himself to the service of Sanatan Dharma,” said Acharya Shri Madhurdas Maharaj.Jagatguru Ramanujacharya Swami Yogeshwar Maharaj said, “The AAP has done a real, thoughtful, and commendable task that no party has done before. Although I laid the foundation stone of the BJP’s national office, when it came to Sanatan Dharma, I declared that this body would serve those who work for Sanatan Dharma. I urge all followers of Sanatan Dharma to re-elect the visionary Arvind Kejriwal in 2025 so that a new history can be created in Delhi. I bless Arvind Kejriwal with victory.”Jagatguru Swami Avadhesh Prapannacharya Maharaj said, “Arvind Kejriwal will remain the Chief Minister of Delhi in 2025 and for years to come. There is no doubt about it. Whatever Arvind Kejriwal has promised, he has fulfilled and will continue to fulfill. I bless Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP, hoping that Arvind Kejriwal becomes the Chief Minister again in 2025 and continues to honor the followers of Sanatan Dharma.”*Hanuman Chalisa recital marks spiritual unity*During this significant event, a grand recital of the Hanuman Chalisa was organized, bringing together AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Senior AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Saurabh Bharadwaj, alongside a large gathering of priests and saints. The atmosphere was charged with devotion and fervor as the sacred verses echoed through the venue, symbolizing unity and spiritual strength. Leaders and religious figures participated with great enthusiasm, reflecting the party’s deep respect for cultural and spiritual traditions. This moment highlighted the AAP’s commitment to honoring the sentiments of Delhi’s religious communities and fostering collective faith and solidarity.
