Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) started an action against its 18 employees for taking part in non-Hindu religious activities. The TTD has also asked the employees to attend Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam festivals.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam chairman said that the employees have been asked to get themselves transferred to other government departments or take a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS). He said they will face further action if they fail to obey the order.
The temple management said that it is committed to maintaining the sanctity of the temple and religious places, and its decision reflects the same.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam is an independent government trust responsible for Tirumala Venkateswara temple in Tirupati.
Article 16(5) of the Constitution backs the temple management’s decision as it allows the temple administration officials to recruit manpower from their own religion. The Andhra Pradesh High Court already upheld rule 3 back in 2023, which empowers the temple body to outline the conditions of the services while mandating that any employee who will serve the temple and affiliated religious place must be a Hindu.
