TTD initiates disciplinary action against 18 non-Hindu staff, bars them from Tirumala temple activities

Hyderabad, DHNS: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) had initiated disciplinary action and also barred 18 non-Hindu staff members from participating in the Tirumala temple fairs and festivals and other religious functions and activities to protect sanctity and sentiments of devotees of the presiding deity Lord Sri Venkateswara.

The office memo that was issued on February 1 and came to light on Wednesday, are in line with a resolution passed by the TTD Trust Board last November and a newfound assertion by the board chairman, BR Naidu who has been advocating to take appropriate action against non-Hindu staff members, which included offering them VRS or surrendering them to other government departments.

However, the memo didn't offer clarity on the punishment or disciplinary action that will be taken against the non Hindu staff.

These 18 non-Hindu staff members include a principal, professor, lecturers, nurses, and other staff working in the colleges, hospitals, and hostels run by the Tirumala Trust Board.

In November of last year, the TTD Board decided to take action by first identifying non-Hindu staff. Initially, the TTD Board identified 18 staff members who were practicing other religious activities.

“It has been proved that the following TTD employees are practicing and participating in non-Hindu religious activities, though they have taken the oath before the photograph/idol of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy Varu stating that they will follow the Hindu Dharma and Hindu traditions only and also stating that they will not follow non-Hindu religious activities in compliance with Rule 9 (vi) issued in GO MS No.1060 Revenue (Endowments-i), dated 24.1). 1989. In spite of that, the following employees are practicing and participating in non-Hindu religious activities and also taking part in Hindu religious fairs, festivals, and functions conducted by TTD, which impacts the sanctity, sentiments, and beliefs of crores of Hindu devotees,” said a memo issued by TTD executive officer (EO) J. Syamala Rao.

The memo further said that as a result, disciplinary actions have been initiated against those employees to curtail their non-Hindu religious activities.

Even though instances came to notice that still practicing and participating in non-Hindu religious activities, demeaning the prestige of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

“Taking the above facts into consideration, the above employees are hereby barred from participating in religious functions of TTD until further orders, and they are directed not to participate in any religious programmes of TTD. The Chief Engineer, TTD, and the Dy. Exe Officer (HR), TTD, Tirupati, shall verify the present postings and ensure that they are not to be posted in (i) Tirumala, (i) any temple, or any religious program-related work/post. If any one of the above employees is presently working in the above-said posts/places, transfer them from such religiously sensitive places immediately,” said the memo.

Further, HODs were also instructed not to post or depute these employees to any of the temple-related duties, any religious processions, programs, fairs, or festivals of the Temples of TTD.

Over the last few years, Tirumala Temple, one of the richest Hindu temples in the world, has turned into a platform for political slugfest surrounded by several controversies.

At this juncture, the N. Chandrabau Naidu-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh had constituted a new TTD Board with 25 members and BR Naidu as chairman in November last year.

“On Chairman BR Naidu's orders, TTD has taken action against 18 employees for violating their oath to uphold Hindu traditions. As per the November 18, 2024, board resolution, they will be transferred from TTD temples, barred from Hindu rituals, and may be shifted to government roles or offered VRS. Thank you, TTD Chairman, for protecting TTD's integrity and upholding Hindu values with your decisive action. Your commitment to our temples and traditions is truly appreciated,” said BJP state vice president, N. Vishnuvardhan Reddy.

In an interview with DH days after he was announced as TTD chairman, BR Naidu said, “TTD is a Hindu religious autonomous body. In my personal opinion, TTD should not employ non-Hindus to work in the temple. It's a Hindu temple. We will first gather information about the number of non-Hindu employees at TTD. In the next stage, we will offer them the option of a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS). If a non-Hindu staff chooses not to participate in the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS), we will surrender them to the Andhra Pradesh government. They have the opportunity to find employment in other government departments. I'm firm on it.”