The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), an autonomous body that manages the affairs of the country’s richest temple at Tirumala, has decided to transfer non-Hindus working at various institutions run by the board to other government departments or ask them to opt for its voluntary retirement scheme.
The TTD executive officer J Shyamala Rao said the move was in accordance with the unanimous decision that its institutions should not have any non-Hindus on its rolls.
TTD is the official custodian of Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati. The popular hill shrine attracts an average of 80,000 devotees every day. The number crosses one lakh during festivals and special occasions.
“The trust board approved the decision to take steps towards the transfer of non-Hindu employees working in the TTD to other government departments through alternative ways or by offering them Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS),” Rao said, while briefing reporters in Tirupati about the board’s resolutions.
Also read: TTD bars land deals near Tirumala sacred hills
According to the TTD records of 2021, the board had about 40 non-Hindu employees at its institutions.
The decision comes months after TTD initiated disciplinary action in February this year against 18 non-Hindu employees for continuing to take part in non-Hindu religious activities. The order barred the 18 employees – all Christians who worked as lecturers, hostel workers, office subordinates, engineers, helpers, nurses and other paramedical staff in various institutions run by TTD – from attending all religious and spiritual events organised by the board.
At the time of joining TTD institutions, employees take an oath that they will follow the Hindu dharma and Hindu traditions only, and that they will not follow non-Hindu religious activities in compliance with Rule 9 (vi) of the Service Rules issued in G.O.Ms. No. 1060 Revenue (Endowments-1), dated October 24, 1989.
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