The Tirumala temple board has suspended an Assistant Executive Officer (AEO) A Rajasekhar Babu, following reports of his participation in Christian religious activities. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), an autonomous body which manages the affairs of the world’s richest Hindu temple, announced the decision. It came after it was found that Rajasekhar Babu regularly attends local church prayers every Sunday in his hometown of Puttur in Tirupati district.
“This constitutes a violation of the TTD norms. By disregarding the code of conduct, he has acted irresponsibly as an employee representing a Hindu religious organisation," said a senior official of TTD.
As per the temple’s rules, only those professing the Hindu religion are eligible for recruitment into the TTD service.
"After examining the report submitted by the TTD Vigilance Department and other evidence, departmental action was initiated against him according to established rules, and he was suspended with immediate effect," the senior official said.
Rule 9(vi) of the TTD Employees Service Rules, 1989, established under G.O. Ms. No. 1060, mandates that employees must adhere to Hindu dharma and traditions and also refrain from non-Hindu religious activities.
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"The appointment to any of the posts in any category in any of the institutions administered or substantially funded by the TTD shall be made only from among the persons professing Hindu Religion," states Rule 9(VI) of the TTD Employees Service Rules, 1989.
In May, the TTD board decided to transfer non-Hindu employees working at various board-run institutions to other Andhra Pradesh government departments or offer them voluntary retirement schemes. According to 2021 TTD records, there were about 40 non-Hindu staff members across the TTD institutions.
Prior to the May decision, TTD initiated disciplinary action in February against 18 non-Hindu employees for continuing to participate in non-Hindu religious activities. The order prohibited these 18 employees, all Christians, working as lecturers, hostel workers, office subordinates, engineers, helpers, nurses, and other paramedical staff from attending religious and spiritual events organised by the temple.
"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 stating that they will follow Hindu Dharma and Hindu traditions only and will not follow non-Hindu religious activities in compliance with Rule 9(vi)," stated a memo issued by TTD Executive Officer J Syamala Rao in February.
The memo continued: "Despite this oath, the following employees are practicing and participating in non-Hindu religious activities while 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." The memo noted that disciplinary actions were initiated to curtail employees' non-Hindu religious activities, particularly as instances continued to surface of staff "practicing and participating in non-Hindu religious activities, demeaning the prestige of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams."
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