In a significant development, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has passed a resolution requiring its non-Hindu employees to either opt for voluntary retirement or request transfers to other government departments in Andhra Pradesh. The decision, reported by The Times of India on Tuesday, impacts the TTD, which manages the renowned Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, one of the wealthiest Hindu shrines in the world.

The TTD, which employs approximately 7,000 permanent staff members and 14,000 contract workers, has stated that the new policy will primarily affect around 300 of its permanent employees. The move has sparked widespread attention due to its potential implications for the employees and the administration of the temple trust.

TTD Chairman BR Naidu confirmed the resolution but refrained from disclosing the exact number of employees affected. Employee unions have expressed support for the decision, emphasising that it aligns with both the Andhra Pradesh Endowments Act and the TTD Act. "This should be enforced in totality," a union representative stated.

Naidu, who assumed the role of TTD chairman on October 31, has been vocal about ensuring that only Hindus manage the temple. "Everyone who works at Tirumala should be Hindu. That would be my first effort," he remarked, adding that he would consult with the state government regarding the transfer or voluntary retirement options for non-Hindu staff members.

The TTD Act, which has been amended three times, explicitly mandates that only Hindus can be employed by the temple board and its affiliated institutions. A government order issued in 1989 further enforces this policy. Despite this, non-Hindu employees have remained within the organisation, with recent reports highlighting complaints from Hindu employees about colleagues of different faiths working at the temple.

The decision by the TTD Board comes just weeks after allegations from the Chandrababu Naidu-led government, which claimed that the previous YSRCP administration had allowed the use of ghee-containing animal fat in the preparation of the temple's famous laddu prasadam. Following these complaints, the Andhra Pradesh government reconstituted the TTD Board, appointing BR Naidu as its chairman. The newly restructured board includes prominent figures such as Suchitra Ella, co-founder of Bharat Biotech.

Since taking office, Naidu has made it clear that his priority is to ensure that only Hindus are employed within the temple precincts. Speaking to the media, Naidu emphasised his commitment to maintaining Tirumala as a symbol of Hindu faith and sanctity. "Everyone who works at Tirumala should be Hindu. That would be my first effort. There are many issues with this. We have to look into that," he stated.

Naidu also noted that he would consult with the Andhra Pradesh government to explore options for non-Hindu staff members, including potential transfers to other government departments or offering voluntary retirement. Naidu also criticised the previous YSR Congress administration, accusing it of mismanaging the temple, which he claimed led to a decline in the sanctity of Tirumala.