Allahabad High Court Reinstates Padma Shri Dr. Devi Prasad Dwivedi at Kashi Vishwanath Temple After 25 Years, ruling that his removal as Acharya 25 years ago was legally invalid and clarifying that the Acharya’s role is a spiritual, not salaried, position.
The Allahabad High Court cancelled the termination of Dr. Devi Prasad Dwivedi, a Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awardee as well as a renowned Sanskrit scholar, which had been in effect for 25 years.
Justice Saurabh Shyam Shamshery’s bench determined that both Dr. Dwivedi’s removal in July 2000 and the temple trust’s 2023 decision to end his services due to age were both factually and legally unjustifiable.
The court noted that the position of Acharya, responsible for conducting the nightly Shringar-Bhog Aarti, is not akin to that of a salaried employee but rather a traditional spiritual role.
Dr. Dwivedi was appointed in 1994 with the approval of the then chairperson of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust to perform the midnight rituals following the death of the previous priest.
Initially hired for one year, his tenure was later extended for three years, with the Trust acknowledging his dedication and expanding his responsibilities to include training other priests.
However, in 2000, the Chief Executive Officer abruptly terminated his services, claiming his appointment had lapsed in 1998.
This decision followed a complaint reportedly instigated by a senior official after a disagreement with Dr. Dwivedi regarding a special ritual that hindered devotees’ access to the sanctum. Dr. Dwivedi challenged this termination in the High Court, which granted a stay in August 2002, allowing him to continue his duties.
Over the next two decades, he gained significant recognition, receiving the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards and serving on the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission.
Despite the stay, the Trust issued a new resolution in February 2023, stating that Dr. Dwivedi, being over 60 years old, could no longer be retained or compensated. He filed a contempt petition, arguing that this action contravened the existing court order. Upon reviewing the case, the High Court found both the 2000 and 2023 decisions to be unwarranted and biased.
The court remarked that the role of Acharya should not be equated with that of a temple employee bound by service regulations; it is a traditional duty rooted in devotion, as recognized by the temple’s own documentation.
While reinstating Dr. Dwivedi’s right to perform the Shringar-Bhog Aarti, the court clarified that he would not receive any payment. It allowed him to conduct the rituals three days a week Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday and permitted him to appoint one trained assistant for these ceremonies.
The court also directed the Trust to ensure the smooth conduct of the Aarti and to uphold respect and dignity for Dr. Dwivedi.
Case Title: Dr. Devi Prasad Dwivedi Vs. Chief Executive Officer And Ors.
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