The Gujarat High Court held that temple priests are not ‘workmen’ under the Industrial Disputes Act. The court said pujaris perform sacred duties, not manual, skilled, or supervisory work.
The court clarified that temple trusts managing worship cannot be considered industries under the Act. Priests hold spiritual roles preserving dharmic traditions beyond employment contracts.
Ruling protects traditional pujari roles from labour laws, ensuring temples maintain shastric authority over sacred service appointments, safeguarding ritual purity and institutional autonomy.
Judgment upholds the separation between spiritual vocations and industrial employment, preventing the erosion of temple hierarchies where the priesthood embodies generational seva commitments, defying modern wage frameworks.
High Court decision reinforces constitutional recognition of religious institutions’ independence, ensuring Hindu temples retain control over pujari selection, preserving Sanatana Dharma’s unbroken priesthood continuum.
Gujarat HC ruling affirms pujaris serve divine, not industrial roles protecting temple trusts’ sacred autonomy from labour law interference, maintaining dharmic service purity for future generations.
