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10. (i) The respondents were granted Rs.13,000/- basic in terms of the Rc.No.A1/1726091/2018, dated 24.09.2018 but there is denial with regard to further enhancement as per the scale fixed in circular, on completion of respective years of service.

(ii) The duties of the barbers, who attend tonsuring work at the temples shall be considered as a religious work. Treating their work different from other religious works like Paricharikas, and pandits etc., will amount to discrimination. Therefore, the same is not permissible.

2) Whether the impugned orders dated 12.09.2025 in W.P.No.15232 of 2020 passed by the learned Single Judge, require any interference?

3) What is the result of the appeal?

Analysis, reasoning and consideration:-

14. Facts not in dispute:-

(1) The writ petitioners have been attending the tonsuring work. (2) Minimum pay of Rs.13,000/- per month was granted to the writ petitioners.

(3) The writ petitioners are working since a long time, (4) As per the counter affidavit of the 4th respondent, the consolidated pay of Rs.13,000/- per month being paid to the petitioners and the same is continued in terms of Circular No. Rc.No.A1/1726091/2018, dated 24.09.2018 Whether the tonsuring work is a religious work:-

16. This is considered as a sacred offering of scarifying one's beauty to God with the belief that they themselves will get relieved from misfortune.

Further, as a vow to Deity, for fulfilling the wish, tonsuring takes place. On certain occasions, even Christianity and Islam also recognise the activity of tonsure - as a symbol of humility in Christianity and as a symbol of equality and humility before God in a case of Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim community.

17. With respect to a general query, it is answered by both sides that in respect of tonsuring at other major temples like Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam etc., the tonsuring work is considered as a religious work and the pay is extended on that basis to barbers engaged for that purpose. Therefore, there cannot be any discrimination in respect of other temples particularly in the light of oneness and equality. Looking from any angle one cannot say that tonsuring activity in temples is not religious activity and the barbers, who attend tonsuring work are not engaged in religious work. Therefore, indubitable conclusion possible is that the barbers attending tonsuring work can be considered as engaged in religious work. There shall be equal treatment across the State in respect of persons attending such work.

25. For the afore stated reasons, points 1 and 2 are answered against the appellant, concluding that the tonsuring work in temples is a religious activity and employees (barbers) performing the tonsuring work shall be considered as attending religious work and that there are no grounds to interfere with impugned orders.

26. In the result, the Writ appeal is dismissed, confirming the impugned Order dated 12.09.2025 passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P.No.15232 of 2020. No costs.