TTD to approach govt over employment of 42 non-Hindu staffers in TTD against rules

The Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam is likely to approach the government over the issues of non-Hindu staff being recruited against the Devasthanam’s rules. The TTD has identified 42 staffers of different faith working in TTD.

The New Indian Express reported that the TTD chief vigilance and security officer (CVSO) A Ravikrishna has submitted a report relating to the employment of staff in violation of the GOs released in 1988 and 2007 which prohibits non-Hindus from being employed in TTD.

Speaking to TV9, Ravikrishna said that they have identified the persons of other faith and that they would take up the issue to the notice of higher officials.

According to TNIE, TTD executive officer had asked the CVSO to identify the non-hindus working in TTD and file a report. The decision was taken following the controversy of TTD deputy executive officer, Sneha Latha caught on video, visiting a local church in her official car.

The video created outrage amongst seers and Agama pandits who took extreme objection to the incident, and created much furor. Following the incident, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad asked the custodians of the temple to identify such employees and sack them.

However, after the incident when an internal the inquiry was initiated, it was revealed that the TTD deputy EO was recruited in 1986 when there were no restrictions on non-Hindus being prohibited from service in TTD. The GOs prohibiting non-hindus into service in TTD was released twice-1988 and 2007. In 1988, the order stated that non-hindus are prohibited from service except in the educational institutions. In the subsequent GO issued in 2007, the exception of non-Hindus in educational institutions was also removed.

As per the report, 35 persons from faith other than Hindu were employed between 1988-2007 and seven others were employed after 2007, despite a GO being issued against the employment of non-Hindus.