Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the governing body of the Tirupati temple, has taken disciplinary action against 18 non-Hindu employees for allegedly participating in non-Hindu religious activities while being involved in temple festivals and rituals. Following directives from TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu, the board has issued orders for their removal, citing its commitment to preserving the temple’s spiritual sanctity.
As per the resolution passed during a recent TTD board meeting, these employees have been given the option to either transfer to government departments or opt for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS). The board has emphasized that non-Hindu individuals should not be involved in temple administration or rituals and has warned of further actions against similar cases in the future.
Reports suggest that the hiring of non-Hindu employees allegedly increased during the tenure of the previous YSR Congress-led government in Andhra Pradesh. The issue has been a point of contention for some time, with concerns raised about individuals from other religious backgrounds holding positions within the temple administration.
TTD authorities have indicated that more such cases may be identified, especially among employees in lower-ranking positions. The latest action has stirred controversy, with debates emerging over the rights of non-Hindu staff members and the temple’s policies regarding religious adherence.
The TTD board has stated that it will not take these violations lightly and remains firm in its stance that all staff members involved in temple activities must adhere to Hindu religious traditions. The affected employees now face the choice of either taking VRS or transferring out of TTD-affiliated institutions.
This decision is expected to spark further discussions on the role of religious identity in temple administration and the broader implications for employees working in faith-based institutions.
It is noteworthy that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board, in its meeting on 18 November 2024, decided to remove non-Hindu employees from the Tirumala Sri Balaji Temple and transfer them to the Andhra Pradesh government pool. Chairman B.R. Naidu emphasized that only Hindus should work in the temple, citing concerns over false affidavits and conversions. The board also revoked the Visakha Sarada Peetham land lease, planned AI-based solutions to reduce darshan wait times, and moved TTD deposits from private to nationalized banks. These decisions aimed to align temple administration with religious and constitutional principles while improving governance and efficiency.
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