Latest news with #non-Hindus
Mint
3 days ago
- Health
- Mint
Triumala Tirupati Devasthanam suspends 4 non-Hindu employees. Here's why
Triumala Tirupati Devasthanam on Saturday suspended four employees for allegedly following a non-Hindu faith, citing a violation of the institutional code. The employees were reportedly following the Christian faith, which violates the code of conduct expected from staff working in a Hindu religious institution, TTD said in a statement on X. 'Following a vigilance report and review of supporting evidence, disciplinary action was taken as per rules, leading to their immediate suspension,' TTD said on X. According to the TTD, the suspended employees are B. Elizer, Deputy Executive Engineer (Quality Control), S. Rosi, Staff Nurse, BIRD Hospital, M. Premavathi, Grade 1 Pharmacist, BIRD Hospital, and Dr. G. Asunta, SV Ayurvedic Pharmacy. Earlier, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar raised strong objections to the employment of non-Hindus in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) during his visit to Tirumala on his birthday on Friday. Addressing the media after offering prayers at the Lord Venkateswara temple, he questioned, 'How can non-Hindus be given jobs in TTD?' Why are they still being retained even after changes in governments and administrations? What action is being taken when over a thousand non-Hindus are employed in TTD? They must be removed from their positions immediately." "TTD should allocate funds to support temples, especially those that are unable to afford even the basic rituals like dhupa-deepa-naivedyam, " he said, stating that it was unacceptable that non-Hindus are currently working in TTD despite lacking belief in Hinduism or the deity. "Would mosques or churches ever employ a Hindu wearing a bottu (sacred mark on the forehead)? No, they wouldn't. So why are non-Hindus being given jobs in TTD? Continuing this practice, even after changes in government, is not right. I strongly demand their immediate removal," he said, demanding their immediate removal. Sanjay asserted, "Tirumala belongs to Hindus. If non-Hindus or foreigners want to visit the deity, a faith declaration is mandatory. Unfortunately, over a thousand non-Hindus are working in TTD, many of whom do not believe in Hinduism or the deity. Why are such people being employed and retained?"
News18
3 days ago
- Health
- News18
TTD Suspends Four Employees For Practising Non-Hindu Faiths
TTD confirmed it suspended four of its employees over allegations that they practised other faiths and said these employees violated the institution's code of conduct. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the official body governing the revered Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala of Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district, has suspended four employees for allegedly being non-Hindus and practising other religions. The temple body suspended Deputy Executive Engineer (quality control) B Elizar, staff nurse of BIRRD Hospital, S Rosi, grade-1 pharmacist of BIRRD Hospital, M Premavati and G Asuntha from SV Ayurveda Pharmacy. In an official statement, TTD confirmed it had suspended four of its employees on the grounds of allegations that they practised other faiths and said these employees violated the institution's code of conduct and acted irresponsibly in their duties while representing and working for a Hindu religious organisation. After examining the report submitted by the TTD Vigilance Department and other evidence, departmental action was taken against them as per the rules and the four employees were immediately suspended, the TTD further said. On May 20, the TTD trust board, under the leadership of Chairman B.R. Naidu, passed a resolution to ensure that no non-Hindus are present in any of the institutions managed by the TTD. The non-Hindu employees were transferred to other government departments or offered Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS). In an official statement on Tuesday, the TTD said Rajasekhar Babu was found participating in church prayers every Sunday, an act deemed to be in violation of the organisation's norms. 'It is nothing but a violation of TTD norms as he has not followed the code of conduct of the TTD as an employee of the organisation, and has acted irresponsibly as an employee representing a Hindu religious organisation," the temple trust stated. view comments First Published: July 20, 2025, 08:14 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Tirupati temple board suspends 4 employees for ‘practising other religions'
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) which manages Andhra Pradesh's Sri Venkateswara temple has suspended four of its employees based on allegations that they are non-Hindus and practising other religious faiths. The suspended employees are B Elizar, deputy executive engineer (quality control); S Rosi, staff nurse, BIRRD hospital; M Premavati, grade-1 pharmacist, BIRRD hospital, and Dr G Asuntha of SV Ayurveda Pharmacy. These employees are believed to have violated the institution's code of conduct and acted irresponsibly in their duties while representing and working for a Hindu religious organisation, the TTD said in a statement. After examining a report submitted by the TTD Vigilance Department and other evidence, departmental action was taken against them as per the rules and the four employees were immediately suspended, it said. The suspensions are the latest in a wider effort to transfer or suspend officials belonging to other faiths from the TTD. On July 8, the TTD had suspended assistant executive officer A Rajasekhar Babu stating that he attends local church prayers every Sunday in his hometown Puttur in Tirupati district. TTD sources said that the board has taken a decision not to allow any non-Hindu to work in the TTD, especially in the temples governed and managed by it. After the Telugu Desam Party-led NDA government came to power in June last year, the TTD has transferred several non-Hindu employees working in various positions in the TTD. In February this year, the TTD transferred 18 employees for allegedly practicing and participating in non-Hindu religious activities. The transferred employees include six teachers at various TTD educational institutes, a deputy executive officer (welfare), an assistant executive officer, an assistant technical officer (electrical), a hostel worker, two electricians and two nurses. On November 18, in its maiden meeting of the TTD under new chairman B R Naidu, the board had decided to transfer non-Hindus and ban political speeches on its premises.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
TTD plans door-to-door inspection to identify other faith staffers
1 2 Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is contemplating a door-to-door inspection to identify non-Hindu staffers working in the temple trust. As per Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act and the TTD Act, only Hindus can work in TTD, which draws its funds from donations extended by devotees visiting Tirumala and other Hindu temples under its fold in Tirupati and across the country. While this Act has existed for decades, some non-Hindus managed to get into the organisation. Following a vigilance enquiry carried out by the TTD administration in 2018, it emerged that there were about 44 non-Hindus working in the temple trust. After the TTD management served notices to the 44 non-Hindus, they moved Andhra Pradesh high court challenging the move. The matter is still pending before the court. The new TTD trust board, which was formed after the TDP-led NDA govt came to power in the state, passed a resolution last year to identify and remove non-Hindu employees from the temple trust. A vigilance enquiry was carried out, which found that 29 non-Hindus were still on the payrolls of TTD, with 15 of them retired in the last six years. The employees were offered a voluntary retirement package by the TTD, but they did not accept the offer and intimated to the management that they will continue to fight the case legally. Recently, an assistant executive officer rank official was suspended by the TTD after he was found to be following a different faith. A few days later, another executive engineer rank officer was also suspended after he was found displaying his allegiance to another faith. Bandi Sanjay, Union minister of state for home affairs, claimed that nearly 1,000 non-Hindus were working in the temple trust and asked the TTD management to immediately initiate action. Responding to Bandi's remarks, state endowments minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy said a detailed enquiry is underway to identify all non-Hindus working in the temple trust. TTD trust board member G Bhanu Prakash Reddy said the temple management is contemplating a door-to-door inspection as part of the vigilance enquiry. "It has come to our notice that many employees having Hindu names have converted to other faith, which is a violation of TTD Act and also the Endowments Act. Without physically visiting their houses, the vigilance enquiry will remain incomplete. It is unfortunate that such people continue to draw their salaries and other benefits from the TTD while practising other faiths," he said. A detailed discussion on the proposed door-to-door survey will be held during the TTD trust board meeting scheduled for July 22.
NDTV
4 days ago
- NDTV
Tirupati Board Suspends 4 Non-Hindu Employees For Flouting Code Of Conduct
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has suspended four of its employees following allegations that they were practicing a non-Hindu faith, which is reportedly in violation of the institution's code of conduct. According to a statement issued by the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of TTD, the four individuals - B. Elizer (Deputy Executive Engineer, Quality Control), S. Rosi (Staff Nurse, BIRRD Hospital), M. Premavathi (Grade-I Pharmacist, BIRRD Hospital), and Dr. G. Asunta (SV Ayurvedic Pharmacy) - have been suspended after an internal investigation. TTD, which administers the world-renowned Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, follows a strict code of conduct for its employees, especially those working in religious or associated institutions. The code mandates that individuals employed within the TTD system must adhere to the tenets of the Hindu faith in both conduct and practice. The action was taken after a vigilance report highlighted concerns about the religious affiliations of the employees. The internal enquiry reportedly confirmed that the suspended personnel were following the non-Hindu faith, which was considered a breach of institutional guidelines. "The employees acted irresponsibly while performing duties in a Hindu religious organisation," the CPRO's statement said. Following a review of evidence and the vigilance department's report, "departmental action was taken against them as per the rules and the four employees were immediately suspended," it said. The suspension has triggered discussions on the boundaries of religious freedom in faith-based institutions that are publicly funded or administered. While TTD has not commented further, officials have indicated that adherence to the institution's spiritual ethos is non-negotiable for its staff. The matter may spark wider debate on employment rights versus religious guidelines in India's temple administration systems. It is worthy to note here that earlier on July 11, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar urged Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam to remove non-Hindus from employment in Tirumala and claimed that over 1,000 non-Hindus are still working in TTD.
