The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the Sri Venkateswara temple in Andhra Pradesh, has taken disciplinary action against 18 non-Hindu employees for violating their oath to uphold Hindu traditions. TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu ordered the action, which includes barring the employees from participating in Tirumala temple fairs, festivals, and other religious functions.
Here’s what happened:
- Discovery of Non-Hindu Practices: The TTD Board found that these employees were practicing and participating in non-Hindu religious activities despite having taken an oath to follow Hindu Dharma and traditions.
- Violation of Oath: The employees had pledged to follow Hindu traditions when they joined the institution, as per Rule 9 (vi) issued in GO MS No. 1060.
- Action Taken: Disciplinary actions were initiated against the 18 employees to curtail their non-Hindu religious activities, and they are barred from participating in religious functions of TTD until further notice.
- Positions Affected: The employees include a principal, professor, lecturers, nurses, electricians, and other staff working in the colleges, hospitals, and hostels run by the Tirumala Trust Board. Six of the employees are teachers at TTD educational institutes.
- Where They Can Be Posted: The TTD has directed that these employees not be posted in Tirumala, temple, or religious program-related work.
- Reactions: While TTD officials state the actions are to maintain the temple’s sanctity, opposition party YSRCP has condemned the move.
