The Andhra Pradesh BJP has demanded that around 1,000 employees of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), suspected of practicing non-Hindu religions, be removed from their jobs. They called Tirumala the "spiritual capital of Hindus" and believe non-Hindu employees should not work there.
BJP spokesperson and TTD board member Bhanu Prakash Reddy said that representatives from the board will meet with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu soon to request the removal of these employees.
"TTD has over 6,500 permanent employees and more than 17,000 contract workers, totaling about 24,000. I have received information that more than 1,000 of them follow non-Hindu religions, so we are taking a strong stance on this," said Reddy.
"On February 14, we will meet with CM Naidu to request that non-Hindu employees be removed from TTD."
Also Read: Tirumala Tirupati acts against 18 employees violating Hindu norms
Regarding disciplinary action against 18 non-Hindu employees, Reddy said two of them may actually be Hindus and asked for their credentials to be re-verified.
He also claimed that these non-Hindu employees receive salaries from TTD but do not accept the prasadam (sacred offering) from Sri Venkateswara Swamy.
Reddy further stated that the TTD Act requires only Hindus to perform temple rituals, and all employees should be Hindu. Recently, TTD issued a memo barring 18 employees from participating in religious and spiritual activities due to their involvement in non-Hindu practices.
Also Read: Nara Lokesh backs TTD's stand on non-Hindu employees
Follow us
