Priests and temple staff in Telangana have been holding protests since more than a week seeking payment of salaries through the state government's treasury which would provide them job security.
The 'archakas', who began their stir eight days ago, started fasts since yesterday, Bhanu Murthy, leader of Telangana priests union, said.
The priests and temple staff are now dependent on the donations by public for salaries, which is paid to them directly. "There are no uniform salaries (now)".
They demand that salaries be paid to them through the treasury which means they would get job security and have pay revision commissions (PRC) similar to the government employees, Bhanu Murthy added.
