Tirupati temple board initiates disciplinary action against 18 ‘non-Hindu’ employees 

As many as 18 Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) employees, who are allegedly practicing non-Hindu faiths, have been barred from attending all religious and spiritual events conducted by the temple body as part of disciplinary action, said an official on Wednesday.

According to the temple body official, a circular to this effect was issued recently. TTD is the official custodian of world-renowned Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati.

“Those 18 (employees) are barred from attending religious events. They are prohibited from attending all TTD religious and spiritual events. They cannot participate,” the official said.

Earlier in November 2024, the TTD board headed by chairman BR Naidu said that it would write a letter to the N Chandrababu Naidu-led NDA government for taking an appropriate decision on non-Hindus working in Tirumala.

Further, TTD rules mandate that non-Hindus have to declare their faith in the deity before making a visit to the temple.