TTD chief says only Hindu staff In Tirumala, but Centre wants non-Muslims In Waqf boards: Owaisi
Hyderabad: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the newly announced Hindu-only staff policy at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). Owaisi pointed out that while TTD insists on employing only Hindu staff, the NDA government seeks to induct non-Muslims into Waqf Boards. He labelled this as a double standard, questioning the differing rules for Hindu and Muslim institutions.
In a post on X, Owaisi stated, "Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams' chairman says that only Hindus should work in Tirumala. But Modi government wants to make it mandatory for there to be non-Muslims in Waqf Boards & Waqf Council. Most Hindu Endowment laws insist that only Hindus should be its members. What is good for the goose should be good for the gander, no?"
The new TTD chairman, B R Naidu, announced on October 31 that all employees at Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, should be Hindus. He indicated plans to consult with the Andhra Pradesh government on how to address staff members of other religions, suggesting they could be reassigned to different government departments or offered Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) options.
#WATCH | Hyderabad: AIMIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi says "...Not even a single member of the 24 members of TTD Board (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) is a non-Hindu...The new Chairman of TTD says that the people working there should be Hindu...We are not against this, we just… pic.twitter.com/crnHr7PNYh
— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2024
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams’ chairman says that only Hindus should work in Tirumala. But Modi govt wants to make it mandatory for there to be non-Muslims in Waqf Boards & Waqf Council. Most Hindu Endowment laws insist that only Hindus should be its members. What is good for…
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) November 1, 2024
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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.
