Acting on the directives of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman B.R. Naidu, authorities have begun initiating disciplinary action against 18 employees, who are allegedly following non-Hindu religious practices while serving in the prestigious religious and charitable institution.
Following the TTD Board’s resolution on November 18, 2024, and as per the provisions of the Endowments Act (Act 1060, 1989), all the employees are required to adhere to the Hindu traditions and customs.
However, the officials have identified certain employees, who, while being a part of the temple administration, are allegedly engaged in practicing, or taking part, in non-Hindu religious activities, thereby hurting the sentiments of devotees and compromising on the sanctity of the institution.
Orders have been issued to initiate disciplinary action against 18 employees. If any of them are found to be working at Tirumala, affiliated temples, or other temple-related departments, they are to be immediately transferred out of their roles and not assigned any temple related duties.
Additionally, instructions have been issued to ensure they are not assigned duties related to temple festivals, processions or any other religious functions organised by the TTD.
Among the 18 identified employees, while seven are found to be working in various TTD-run medical institutions as principals, professors and lecturers, four various TTD educational institutions and the remaining in other departments.
The board had earlier resolved to either transfer such employees to other government departments or facilitate their exit through the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) to maintain the religious integrity of the TTD.
