The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board on Saturday, November 30, issued a directive banning political and hate speeches at the sacred Tirumala temple premises, emphasizing the need to preserve the spiritual sanctity of the holy site.
In an official release, the TTD Board noted that recent incidents of political leaders making controversial statements to media personnel immediately after temple darshan have disrupted the spiritual atmosphere traditionally characterised by divine chants of "Govinda".
The board's order categorically states that any person violating the directive will face legal consequences. Political leaders have been explicitly requested to refrain from making political statements or engaging in hate speech within the temple precincts.
This development follows the board's earlier decision on November 18 to restrict employment at TTD to individuals belonging to the Hindu religion. The new chairperson, BR Naidu, has been vocal about ensuring that only Hindus are employed in the temple administration and management.
Naidu has urged the government to either absorb non-Hindu employees into alternative government institutions or facilitate their voluntary retirement. "Everyone who works at Tirumala should be Hindu. That would be my first effort," Naidu stated.
The employment restriction applies to non-religious positions including drivers, nurses, and teachers, reflecting the board's stringent approach to maintaining what they consider the religious character of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
The TTD's recent actions underscore a growing trend of religious and administrative assertiveness in managing one of India's most significant Hindu pilgrimage sites.