TTD takes action against 18 Christian employees for practicing non-Hindu faiths

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has taken disciplinary action against 18 employees for allegedly practicing non-Hindu religious activities, despite having taken an oath to follow Hindu dharma and traditions. These employees, who worked in various roles such as lecturers, engineers, nurses, and other staff across TTD-run institutions including hospitals, colleges, and hostels, were found to be engaging in non-Hindu religious practices. The TTD’s memo, issued on February 1, revealed that the staff members were regularly attending church services, carrying Bibles, and participating in activities outside of Hinduism while continuing their duties at TTD institutions.

The TTD order emphasizes that these actions were in violation of the oath taken by employees when joining the institution. The oath requires them to adhere to Hindu traditions and refrain from participating in non-Hindu religious activities. TTD officials stated that these actions jeopardized the integrity and sanctity of the temple, which draws millions of Hindu devotees annually. Consequently, the 18 employees were barred from attending any religious or spiritual events organized by TTD, including temple rituals and festivals.

In addition to restricting their participation in religious events, TTD has also initiated an investigation to check the employees' current postings. TTD’s directive calls for the verification of whether any of the employees are assigned to sensitive religious roles within the temple or its associated institutions, and if so, they will be immediately reassigned to non-religious duties. The directive further mandates that no employee found to be practicing non-Hindu faiths should be engaged in temple-related activities, ensuring no compromise to the temple’s sanctity.

As part of the TTD’s Service Rules, which were set forth in G.O.Ms. No. 1060 Revenue (Endowments-1) on 24.10.1989, all employees are required to take an oath to uphold Hindu dharma and traditions. The rules explicitly state that employees must not engage in non-Hindu religious practices while employed at TTD-run institutions. The employees in question were found to be in direct violation of these rules, continuing their participation in non-Hindu religious activities even after their oath.

Previously, the TTD board had raised concerns about the employment of non-Hindu staff within temple administration. In a trust board meeting held in November 2024, the board resolved to review the status of non-Hindu employees working in sensitive religious positions. It was proposed that such employees be either transferred to other government departments or offered voluntary retirement to avoid any conflicts with the temple’s religious identity. The TTD has since directed senior officials to ensure compliance with these policies, with the chief executive officer J. Shyamala Rao overseeing the enforcement.