TTD Suspends Four Employees Over Non-Hindu Faith
Action Taken After Internal Probe Cites Code of Conduct Violation
- TTD suspended four employees for allegedly practicing a non-Hindu faith.
- Action taken due to violation of the institution’s code of conduct, which mandates adherence to Hindu faith.
GG News Bureau
Tirupati, 19th July: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has suspended four of its employees following allegations that they were practicing a non-Hindu faith, a reported violation of the institution’s strict code of conduct.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of TTD, the four individuals — B. Elizer (Deputy Executive Engineer, Quality Control), S. Rosi (Staff Nurse, BIRRD Hospital), M. Premavathi (Grade-I Pharmacist, BIRRD Hospital), and Dr. G. Asunta (SV Ayurvedic Pharmacy) — have been suspended after an internal investigation.
The TTD, which administers the world-renowned Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, maintains a stringent code of conduct for its employees, particularly those associated with religious or allied institutions. This code mandates that all individuals employed within the TTD system must adhere to the tenets of the Hindu faith in both their conduct and practice.
The disciplinary action was initiated after a vigilance report highlighted concerns regarding the religious affiliations of these employees. The internal inquiry reportedly confirmed that the suspended personnel were indeed following a non-Hindu faith, which was deemed a breach of institutional guidelines. The CPRO’s statement affirmed that “The employees acted irresponsibly while performing duties in a Hindu religious organisation.”
Following a thorough review of evidence and the vigilance department’s report, “departmental action was taken against them as per the rules and the four employees were immediately suspended,” the statement confirmed.
The suspensions have ignited discussions about the boundaries of religious freedom within faith-based institutions that receive public funding or administration. While TTD has refrained from further public comment, officials have indicated that adherence to the institution’s spiritual ethos is a non-negotiable requirement for its staff.
This development may spark a broader debate on employment rights versus religious guidelines in India’s complex temple administration systems. It is worth noting that earlier, on July 11, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar had urged the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams to remove non-Hindus from employment in Tirumala, claiming that over 1,000 non-Hindus were still working in TTD.
