Andhra CS warns TTD non-Hindu staff, asks them to leave

Says system lacks a monitoring mechanism to check conversions of employees to other religions;

State-level coordination committee soon

Tirupati: Expressing concerns over the working of non-Hindus in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary L.V Subramanyam has asked such employees to come forward voluntarily to declare their faith of worship. He has further cautioned the TTD Board to keep a vigil on employees from other religions, and shift them from the endowment department. The Chief Secretary warned that stern action would be taken against non-Hindu employees if they don’t declare their identity. He agreed that the printing of ads promoting other religions on the APSRTC bus tickets is blunder on the part of the corporation. To prevent such incidents, a state-level coordination committee will soon be set up.

Mr Subramanyam after having darshan of Lord Sri Venkateshwara said, “TTD employees, who converted from Hinduism to other religions, shouldn’t be allowed to continue their service with the Endowment Department. Further, they should not be allowed in key positions at TTD. I advise the endowment department to carry out surprise inspections to ascertain the religion of employees in the department. We should always monitor latest conversions from Hindusim and take necessary action immediately.”

He added, “I ask non-Hindu employees to come forward to announce their religion and leave the TTD. If anyone doesn’t believe in Lord Sri Venkateshwara, there’s no point in working with the TTD. Moreover, this will further hurt the sentiments of devotees of Lord Sri Venkateshwara. If antecedents of those who submitted wrong declaration to get a job in TTD will again be verified. If found violating the rules, legal action will be taken against them. Adding to this, printing of advertisements promoting other religions on APSRTC tickets in Tirumala and Tirupati routes is lapse on the part of road transport corporation. The state government has ordered an enquiry into this incident.”

He further said that all these issues would be discussed with the Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy. “With an objective of preventing such incidents, a state-level coordination committee will be set up in consultation with the Chief Minister,” Mr Subramanyam added.