Amid the BJP government at the Centre tabling the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill, which includes proposals like non-Muslim members on the board, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Board, managing Andhra Pradesh’s Sri Venkateswara Temple, transferred 18 employees who were allegedly involved in non-Hindu religious activities to other posts.
This move follows a controversial order issued by the board’s Executive Officer, J Syamala Rao, and is linked to the board’s ongoing attempts to align staff practices with its Hindu traditions.
Among the affected employees were six teachers at educational institutions operated by the board, as well as other staff members including a deputy executive officer, an assistant executive officer, a technical officer, nurses, electricians, and a hostel worker.
The board's decision comes in the wake of claims that these employees, despite having sworn an oath to follow Hindu traditions, were found to be engaging in religious activities outside Hinduism, a violation of a 1989 government order.
The board asserted that the involvement of these employees in non-Hindu practices threatened the sanctity and sentiments of millions of Hindu devotees, particularly during religious functions and festivals managed by the board. Consequently, the employees were reassigned from duties related to these sacred events.
The board's Chairman, BR Naidu, stated that a resolution had been passed to transfer non-compliant employees to other government departments or offer them the option of voluntary retirement.
Meanwhile, the state Endowments Minister, Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, clarified that the transfers were specifically directed at employees whose religious practices did not conform to the board's Hindu-centric operations.
He also confirmed that those affected by the decision would be reassigned to equivalent roles in different departments. This action follows a similar decision made by the board in November when it implemented measures to transfer non-Hindu staff and impose a ban on political speeches within the temple's premises.