Delhi Election 2025: VHP Calls AAP’s Priest and Granthi Honor Scheme a Political Gimmick

Ahead of the 2025 Delhi elections, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has strongly criticized the AAP government's recently announced Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana, calling it a political tactic aimed at influencing religious figures. VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal accused the AAP government of attempting to "trap" priests and religious leaders by offering them honorariums, after the previous attempt to provide salaries to imams failed to gain traction.Bansal argued that this move was just another political maneuver to garner votes, particularly in the Hindu community, by attempting to secure the support of priests and granthis. The VHP further demanded that the Election Commission take note of this initiative, which they believe is intended to manipulate the religious sentiments of the voters ahead of the elections.The controversy over the scheme has added to the already heated political atmosphere in Delhi, with both the AAP and VHP accusing each other of trying to exploit religious issues for electoral gain.