Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu declared on Friday that employment at the revered Tirumala Temple should be exclusively reserved for Hindus. This announcement comes amid ongoing discussions about the religious affiliations of employees working within the temple’s administration.
Naidu emphasized that if any individuals from other religious communities are currently employed at the temple, they will be reassigned to different positions in a manner that respects their sentiments. “Only Hindus should be employed at the Tirumala Temple. If individuals from other religions are currently working there, they will be relocated to other places without hurting their sentiments,” he stated.
This declaration aligns with recent actions taken by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the governing body of the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple. Last month, the TTD took disciplinary measures against 18 employees who were reportedly practicing Christianity while having taken an oath to adhere to Hindu traditions.
These employees, who held various roles such as lecturers, hostel workers, engineers, and paramedical staff, were barred from participating in any religious or spiritual events organized by the TTD.
During a trust board meeting held on November 18, 2024, it was resolved that non-Hindus currently employed in the temple administration would be surrendered to the government. A report from 2018 indicated that there were 44 employees of different faiths working within the TTD.
In addition to the employment policy, Naidu announced plans to establish Venkateswara Swamy temples in all state capitals across India, further emphasizing the government’s commitment to promoting Hindu religious practices.
The Chief Minister also addressed the controversy surrounding the proposed construction of the “Mumtaz Hotel” at the base of one of the seven sacred hills near the Tirumala temple.
Naidu revealed that while permission for the hotel had been granted previously, the government has now decided to revoke that approval. The hotel was planned to occupy 35.32 acres of land adjacent to the temple, a move that has faced significant opposition.
“There should be no commercialization near the Seven Hills of Tirumala,” Naidu asserted, reinforcing the sentiment that the sanctity of the area must be preserved. The TTD had previously called for the cancellation of the land allotment for the Mumtaz Hotel, deeming its proximity to the temple “objectionable.”
The TTD’s chairman, BR Naidu, echoed these sentiments during the board meeting, highlighting the need to maintain the spiritual integrity of the region surrounding the temple.
The Chief Minister’s statements and the TTD’s recent actions have sparked discussions about the intersection of religion and employment within one of India’s most significant pilgrimage sites. The Tirumala Temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, attracts millions of devotees each year, making it a focal point of Hindu worship and culture.
As the government moves forward with these policies, it remains to be seen how they will impact the diverse workforce currently employed at the TTD and the broader implications for religious inclusivity in public institutions.
The emphasis on Hindu employment at the temple reflects a growing trend in certain regions of India, where religious identity is increasingly influencing public policy and administrative decisions.
The developments at the Tirumala Temple and the government’s stance on employment and commercialization are likely to continue generating debate among various stakeholders, including religious leaders, community members, and political analysts.
As Andhra Pradesh navigates these complex issues, the balance between preserving religious traditions and fostering an inclusive environment will be a critical challenge for the state’s leadership.
