The new governing council of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has initiated measures to restore the sanctity of the holy Tirumala shrine, more particularly to check the influence of non-Hindus within the administration and also outside. As the TTD chairman, BR Naidu is till now busy tidying up his own house focusing on devotees, has now set about gaining control over the administration.
As part of this, non-Hindu employees working in TTD have received an unexpected shock. They have been transferred. A total of 18 employees have been transferred by the governing council. According to reports coming out from the officials, initially 18 people have been transferred. It is reported that there are 300 more such employees.
Among those who have been transferred so far are the principal of the TTD Women’s Polytechnic, the principal of the SVU Ayurveda College, lecturers in various educational institutions, and the warden of the hostel. There is internal information that many of the employees working on the hill are non-Hindus. It seems that they are likely to be transferred soon.
Officials revealed that those who took an oath to follow Hindu traditions and got jobs in TTD under the 1989 Endowment Act are following other religions. The EO has ordered disciplinary action against those who are acting in a way that damages the sanctity of TTD and offends the sentiments of devotees.
Employees who follow other religions should not be appointed to perform functions such as festivals, processions and other Hindu programs in TTD temples. In the last five years, TTD has been severely criticized for giving easy access for such people. There have been allegations that non-Hindu religious propaganda was rampant in Tirumala.
The main allegations of devotees and Hindus are that people from other religions have been appointed to high positions and that non-vegetarian food, ganja and liquor are widely available on the hill. There have been instances where concerns have been expressed that such activities could damage the sanctity of Tirumala.
In this context, TTD has initiated key reforms. A list of 69 people who are disturbing the sanctity of Tirumala has reached the chairman. Tirumala sources say that some will be expelled in this context. It is certain that some more will be expelled soon.
