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Milords Please Wake Up, Here Are 13 Instances Of Appointments Of Non-Hindus In Hindu Temples/Temple-Run Institutions Across India

The Commune

In a recent hearing on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, the Supreme Court questioned the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf boards and councils, asking the Centre if Muslims would similarly be allowed in Hindu religious endowment boards. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, heading the bench, criticized provisions allowing non-Muslims in Waqf governance while highlighting the absence of reciprocal inclusion in Hindu boards. “Say it openly—will Muslims be allowed in Hindu boards now?” the CJI asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who defended the amendment but offered to clarify limits on non-Muslim members.

In this article, we list out 13 instances of non-Hindus appointed in Hindu temple trusts and boards.

#1 Bhumana Karunakar Reddy As TTD Chairman

In August 2023, Tirupati MLA Bhumana Karunakar Reddy was appointed as the Chairman of TTD. It is noteworthy that his first tenure as TTD chairman was from 2006 to 2008, during the Congress government led by Dr. YS Rajasekhar Reddy, father of the current Chief Minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. At the time, Karunakar Reddy was a loyal member of the Congress and a close associate of the YSR family. In 2016, Karunakar Reddy’s daughter, Neeha Reddy, married Y.S. Sumadhur Reddy, a cousin of Jagan Reddy, strengthening his ties with the YSR family. The outgoing TTD Chairman, YV Subba Reddy, is also closely related to Jagan, being his uncle through marriage to Jagan’s maternal aunt.

Additionally, controversy escalated after a video surfaced in which ex-CM Y.S. Jagan Reddy’s mother stated, “We are a Christian family. We go to temples only for Hindu votes.”

There are images and videos of Bhumana Reddy’s daughter’s wedding circulating in social media where the bride and groom are seen to be wearing clothes pertinent to a Christian wedding.

 #2 Appointment Of Christian Teachers At Venkateswara School

In January 2023, the State School Education Department automatically appointed three surplus teachers of Christian faith to fill vacant positions at the Sri Venkateswara Higher Secondary School, which is managed by TTD in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. The principal, Napoleon, allowed the teachers to begin work without informing TTD, sparking protests from Hindu staff and local Hindus, as TTD mandates only Hindus can be employed. Following the backlash, the principal informed the District Chief Education Officer that the appointments would require TTD’s permission, and the teachers were sent back to their previous positions.

Hindu activists planned to raise the issue with TTD board members, but the School Education Department later withdrew the appointments after learning that non-Hindus cannot be employed by TTD institutions. The incident adds to ongoing concerns over TTD’s management, with accusations of non-Hindus being employed in its institutions, linked to alleged anti-Hindu actions under Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy’s government.

#3 AEO Of Sri Venkateswara Group Of Temples, A. Rajasekhar Rao’s Dual Identity

In February 2020, a media report revealed that A Rajasekhar Rao, Assistant Executive Officer (AEO) of the Sri Venkateswara (SV) Group of temples, was seen praying at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Puttur. Rao, who was in charge of overseeing the “Parakamani” (Hundi counting) at the Tirumala Mandir, had claimed to be a Hindu while acknowledging that his wife had converted to Christianity. He initially denied participating in any church prayers, stating that he had only entered the church premises with his wife. Following these allegations, Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam (TTD) launched an inquiry on 20 April 2020 (Roc No. DA1/9968/2019) under the supervision of Shri Rajendradu, Special Grade Deputy Executive Officer, SV Group of temples, Vijayawada. The investigation concluded that the charges against Rao were proven. According to the GO 1060 of 1989, appointments to TTD institutions, except for teaching positions, are restricted to individuals professing the Hindu faith. This rule was further strengthened in 2007 by GO 1372, which mandates that all appointments across all categories in TTD-administered or funded institutions must be made exclusively among individuals professing the Hindu religion.

#4 Discovery Of Appointment Of 44 Non-Hindu Employees In AP (TTD)

In 2019, the Andhra Pradesh government under Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy sparked controversy by ordering that non-Hindus would not be allowed employment at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the Sri Venkateswara temple, one of the richest Hindu temples globally. The new directive stated that only those who converted to Hinduism could retain their jobs, while others would be dismissed. Surprise checks were planned to verify the religious identities of employees.

The controversy was ignited by advertisements on state government bus tickets promoting pilgrimages to Jerusalem for Christians and Haj for Muslims, leading to significant backlash. Accusations against previous administrations also resurfaced, with claims that the proliferation of churches in Tirupati began during Y.S. Reddy’s tenure as Chief Minister.

A sting operation revealed that a senior TTD official regularly attended church, the TTD began identifying non-Hindu staff, ultimately finding 44 employees in violation of guidelines that prohibit non-Hindus from working in temple services. Although most were employed in non-religious roles, the TTD plans to reassign them to other state departments. New measures will require all TTD employees to wear “Thiru Namam,” a traditional Hindu mark, to ensure adherence to the temple’s religious identity and prevent further controversy over non-Hindu appointments.

#5 Alleged Christian Vangalapudi Anita On TTD Trust Board

In 2018, the appointment of Payakaraopet legislator Vangalapudi Anita, reportedly a Christian, to the then-newly constituted Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Trust Board sparked controversy. A video of her confirming her Christian background went viral, prompting criticism from right-wing organizations. The Andhra Pradesh government, which reformed the board after the previous term ended, faced backlash, particularly for appointing chairman Putta Sudhakar Yadav, who was accused of attending Christian events, raising concerns about his suitability to lead an organization meant to uphold Hindu Dharma.

In the video, Anita admits to marrying a Hindu but maintains her Christian identity, stating, “I always keep a Bible in my bag.” This incident follows a previous controversy in January, when the TTD relocated 45 non-Hindu employees after a video of one staff member visiting a church went viral, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding non-Hindus in temple management.

#6 Dy Executive Office In TTD Welfare Dept Snehalatha’s Church Visits

In 2017, Snehalatha, a Deputy Executive Officer in TTD’s Welfare Department, was found to be in gross violation of service rules by regularly attending a Christian Lutheran church in an official car. Additionally, she reportedly never took ‘Prasadam’ but accepted gifts during Brahmotsavam, leading to questions about her adherence to TTD’s Hindu traditions.

The TTD is governed by the A.P. Charitable & Hindu Religious Institutions & Endowments Act (1987), which mandates that executive officers must be Hindu. Past investigations have highlighted similar issues, recommending thorough probes into the backgrounds of non-Hindu employees and prohibiting the propagation of non-Hindu religions within Tirumala. Despite a pledge by TTD employees to uphold Hindu Dharma, concerns persist about Christian proselytization and the presence of non-Hindus in key positions.

#7 Nawaz Appointed At Shri Avimukteshwara Swamy Temple

In 2024, a Muslim man named Nawaz was appointed to the committee responsible for organizing the Brahmotsavam festivities at the Shri Avimukteshwara Swamy Temple, located in the Bangalore Rural District of Karnataka. His appointment raised eyebrows, considering the religious significance of the temple and the traditional expectations surrounding its administration.

#8 Non-Hindu Employees At Maa Sharda Temple, MP, Removed

In 2023, the Madhya Pradesh government’s Department of Culture announced the removal of non-Hindu employees associated with the Maa Sharda Temple in Maihar, Satna district. The individuals affected by this decision included Abid Hussain, Ayub Khan, and Yusuf Khan. Till 2023, the Maa Sharda Management Committee had three Muslim employees, who had been working there since 1988 including legal advisor Abid Hussain, who faced criticism for the committee’s inability to win court cases. Following a memorandum from Hindu organizations demanding the removal of Muslim staff and the closure of meat and liquor shops, SDM Dharmendra Mishra announced a meeting to discuss potential actions.

#9 Non-Hindus Appointed At Maa Jwalamukhi Temple, Kangra

In 2021, in Himachal Pradesh, the state government appointed Jashan Deen and Shakeen Mohhamad, both from the non-Hindu community, as langar sevakars at the Maa Jwalamukhi Temple in Kangra. This decision faced opposition from the nine non-government members of the temple, who expressed their discontent with the appointments, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the temple’s Hindu identity.

#10 17 Non-Hindu Employees At Srisailam Devasthanams

In 2019, a shocking revelation came when it was reported that 17 non-Hindu employees were appointed at various levels within the administration of the Srisailam Devasthanams in Andhra Pradesh. Among these non-Hindu employees were Muslims like S. Khasim Vali, S. A. Wahab, and S. A. Rasool, alongside Christians including Ch. Yohan, D. Ibrahim, K. Yebu, M. Chandi Bai, Y. Israel, P.Daniel, K.Benjamin, C.Emanuel, Ch. Isak, D.Devaraju, G.Mery, J.Lazar, J.Mariyamma, K.K. Mariamma.

#11 Firhad Hakim’s Appointed To Tarakeshwar Temple Board, Later Resigned

In June 2017, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appointed Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim as the chairman of the newly formed Tarakeshwar Development Board (TDB) in Hooghly. The TDB was tasked with overseeing development of the historic 288-year-old Tarakeshwar Shiva temple and surrounding areas. The appointment sparked controversy, with opposition leaders accusing Banerjee of appeasement politics by placing a Muslim leader in charge of a major Hindu religious site. Amid sustained criticism and political pressure, Firhad Hakim resigned from the position in 2019.

#12 Kerala Govt Removes ‘Only Hindu’ Appointment Clause For Devaswom Board, Later Says Otherwise

On 16 October 2018, the Kerala government passed a bill in the state Assembly removing the clause that mandated only Hindus could head the Devaswom Temple Trusts. This sparked widespread controversy, with several petitions filed in the Kerala High Court challenging the constitutional validity of the amendment. Petitioners, including BJP state president PS Sreedharan Pillai, argued that appointing non-Hindus as Devaswom commissioners — who oversee Hindu religious institutions and manage temple funds — violated religious customs and legislative powers. In response, the Kerala government told the High Court that the removal of the Hindu-only clause was an error and assured it had no plans to appoint non-Hindus as commissioners of the Travancore or Cochin Devaswom Boards. The state clarified that the allegations suggesting otherwise were baseless and aimed at creating misunderstandings.

#13 SP Leader Azam Khan Appointed Kumbha Mela Chief In 2013

In 2013, Samajwadi Party leader and Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Azam Khan was appointed as the in-charge of the Kumbh Mela, a major Hindu religious gathering in Prayagraj. His appointment sparked criticism, particularly from the RSS, which questioned why a Muslim minister was chosen to oversee a Hindu pilgrimage. On February 10, a tragic stampede at the Allahabad railway station during the Kumbh Mela led to the deaths of at least 36 people, mostly women and children. Although the incident occurred outside the Kumbh premises, Azam Khan resigned the next day, citing moral responsibility. However, the UP government rejected his resignation, stating he was not directly responsible.

So, milords, it is nothing new that non-Hindus are a part of Hindu temple boards, trusts and organizations. Additionally, the Waqf Board is not a religious board and hence there should not be a problem for a non-Hindu overseer. Is the court not interested in the welfare of the Muslim population and transparent upkeep of its assets? The judiciary has been repeatedly stoking the fire much worse than politicians when it comes to appeasement and flashing their “secular” credentials.

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