Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams cracks whip on its 18 employees practising non-Hindu religions

The TTD has identified 18 of its employees for following and practising non-Hindu religious activities and initiated action against 18 of them

Hyderabad: The Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams (TTD) has cracked the whip on some of its employees, who while being on its rolls were actively practising non-Hindu religions.

The TTD Board has identified 18 such employees and has barred them from participating in any religious functions of TTD until further orders and they were also directed not to participate in any religious programmes of the TTD, according to a memo issued by the TTD Executive Officer J Syamala Rao.

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Through the memo, the TTD Eo has asked the Chief Engineer of TTD, Dy. Executive Office (HR) in Tirupati verify the present postings [of these 18 employees] and “ensure that they are not to be posted in (i) Tirumala (ii) Any Temple (iii) Any religious program related works / post. If any of the above employees presently working in the above said posts / places, transfer them from such religiously sensitive places immediately”, the memo said.

The Heads of different departments were also instructed not to post or depute these employees in any of the temple related duties or any religious processions, programs, fairs and festivals of the TTD.

The memo elaborated that all the TTD employees were committed to maintain the sanctity of the temple by upholding the traditions and values of that have been followed for centuries and to uphold the beliefs and sentiments of the devotees.

The memo further said: “It has been proved that the following TTD employees are practising and participating in Non-Hindu religious activities, thought they have take the OATH before the photograph / Idol of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy Varu stating that they will follow the Hindu Dharma and Hindu traditions only and also stating that they will not follow Non-Hindu religious activities in compliance with Rule 9 (vi) issued in GOMs No 1060 Revenue (Endowments-I) dated 24.10.1989.”

“In spite of that, the following employees are practicing and participating in Non-Hindu Religious activities and also taking part in Hindu religious fairs, festivals and functions conducted by TTD, which impact the sanctity, sentiments and beliefs of crores of Hindu Devotees. As a result, disciplinary actions have been initiated against the following employees to curtail their Non-Hindu religious activities. Even though, instances came to notice that [they are] still practicing and participating in Non-Hindu religious activities demeaning the prestige of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthnams”.

The 18 employees named in the memo included staff of SPW Degree and PG College, SGS Artw College, SPW Polytechnic College, SV Arts College, Office of Director (SVETA), GM (Auctions), DE (Elec), BIRRD (T) Hospital, SV Poor Home, GE Office, BIRRD (T) Hospital, Central Hospital, and SV Ayurvedic College.