TIRUPATI: Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay, during his two-day visit to Tirumala, called for an immediate probe to identify and remove non-Hindu employees from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
Speaking to media personnel after the darshan of Lord Venkateswara on Friday morning, Bandi raised concerns about non-Hindus working in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), demanding the immediate dismissal of around 1,000 such employees to uphold Hindu traditions.
Stating that his demand was not a request but a firm stance, he cited concerns raised by several TTD employees he met on Thursday, pointing to a recent suspension of an assistant executive officer by TTD authorities as an example.
The Union Minister questioned how non-Hindus were recruited into the TTD workforce in the first place and urged TTD Board Chairman BR Naidu and other administrators, whom he described as traditional and committed, to ensure that only Hindus are employed in the temple board.
He asserted that the presence of non-Hindu staff, who he claimed lack faith in Hindu deities, could cause discomfort among Hindu devotees. He asserted that TTD should not serve as a ‘choultry’ (rest house) for individuals of other faiths.
Additionally, Sanjay called on TTD to take responsibility for maintaining ‘Deepa, Dhoopa, Naivedyam’ (traditional offerings) at temples across Telugu states. He specifically requested financial assistance and upgrades for three temples in the Karimnagar district—Kondagattu, Illendu, and Vemulavada. He also pointed out that a temple in his constituency was announced, but has seen no progress.