Tirumala: TTD takes action against 18 Christian employees for 'following customs of non-Hindu religion'

Tirumala: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has taken disciplinary action against 18 employees for following the customs and traditions of the non-Hindu religion.

The disciplinary action was taken on the directives of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman BR Naidu.

TTD has also issued the GO in this regard. According to GO, all the employees are committed to maintaining the sanctity of the temple by upholding the traditions and values that have been followed for centuries and to uphold the beliefs and sentiments of the Devotees.

However, It has been proved that 18 TTD employees are practicing and participating in non-Hindu religious activities, though they have taken the oath before the photograph / Idol of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy stating that they will follow the Hindu dharma and traditions only.

These 18 employees are all Christians and worked as lecturers, hostel workers, office subordinates, engineers, helpers, nurses, and other paramedical staff in various institutions run by TTD.

Disciplinary actions have been initiated against the employees to curtail their non-Hindu religious activities.

Those employees are barred from participating in religious functions of TTD until further orders and they are directed not to participate in any religious programs of TTD. It is found that these 18 employees regularly go to churches and some of them even carry the Bible with them while working in the institutions run by the TTD.

Chief Engineer, TTD, and the Dy.Exe.Officer (HR), TTD, Tirupati was asked to verify the present postings and ensure that they are not to be posted in any Temple programs, and transfer them from such religiously sensitive places immediately

Further, HODs / HOSs / HOIs are also instructed not to post/depute the employees to any of the temple-related duties, or any religious processions. Programs fairs and festivals of the temples.