TTD initiates disciplinary action against 18 'non Hindu' employees, Minister Lokesh endorses
Tirupati, Feb 5 (PTI): The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the official custodian of Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple here, has barred 18 employees from participating in all religious and spiritual activities of the temple body as part of a disciplinary action for allegedly partaking in non-Hindu activities, said an official memo.
In a memo issued on February 1, the temple body noted that disciplinary action has been initiated against those employees to curtail their non-Hindu religious activities, which are demeaning the prestige of TTD.
Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh defended the TTD initiative saying there are no second thoughts on TTD’s decision to bar non-Hindu employees from religious activities as it is the stand of the TDP-led NDA government in the southern state.
"It has been proved that the following (those 18) 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 stating that they will follow the Hindu Dharma (religion) and Hindu traditions only…," said TTD executive officer J Syamala Rao in the memo.
Further, the memo observed that these employees had also sworn that they will not follow non – Hindu religious activities in compliance with Rule 9 (VI) issued in GO Ms No 1060 Revenue (Endowments - 1), dated October 24, 1989.
According to the temple body, the barred employees were participating both in non – Hindu religious activities and also Hindu religious fairs and festivals conducted by TTD, hurting the sanctity and sentiments of crores of Hindu devotees.
TTD directed its chief engineer and deputy executive officer (HR) to verify the present postings of these employees to ensure that they do not discharge duties in Tirumala, any TTD temple or any religious programme work.
Further, it directed them to immediately transfer these employees out of religiously sensitive roles if they were found to be manning them.
Likewise, the memo instructed the heads of departments not to post or depute these employees to temple duties, religious processions, programmes, fairs and festivals.
Earlier in November 2024, the TTD board headed by chairman BR Naidu said that it would write a letter to the N Chandrababu Naidu-led NDA government for taking an appropriate decision on non-Hindus working in Tirumala.
In October 2024, the TTD chairman said in Hyderabad that all those who work at Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, should be Hindus.
Back then, BR Naidu said that he would speak to the Andhra Pradesh government on how to deal with staff members belonging to other religions, whether they should be sent to other government departments or given VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme).
Further, TTD rules mandate that non-Hindus have to declare their faith in the deity before making a visit to the temple.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Lokesh said: "There is no second thought about it. We spoke about it before the polls and we stand by it. We will take it to (a) logical conclusion."
"I want to be clear. There are religious sentiments involved," he said.
Lokesh cited the example of ‘Hindus being not allowed to work in a mosque’ to make his point.
Lokesh said the government will fight it out if there are any legal challenges to the decision.
Meanwhile, reacting to TTD’s decision, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi in a post on 'X' said he has no objection to TTD’s decision in regard to non-Hindu employees.
He demanded that Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu should explain why his party supported the BJP’s Waqf Bill in the Joint Working Committee which mandates a minimum of two non-Muslims in Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Board.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
