Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu States That Only Hindus Should Be Employed At Tirumala Temple

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has stated that only Hindus should be employed at the Tirumala Temple. He assured that individuals from other communities working at the temple would be relocated without causing any distress or disrespect to their sentiments.

Last month, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala, took disciplinary action against 18 employees. These individuals, who worked in various roles such as lecturers, hostel staff, office subordinates, engineers, helpers, nurses, and paramedical staff, were allegedly practicing Christianity despite having pledged to uphold Hindu traditions. Following this, the TTD barred them from participating in religious and spiritual events organized by the board.

During a trust board meeting held on November 18, 2024, the TTD resolved that non-Hindus employed in temple administration would be reassigned to government roles. According to a 2018 report, 44 employees of different faiths were working under the TTD.

Naidu on 'Mumtaz Hotel' Controversy
Addressing another issue, Naidu spoke about the controversy surrounding the construction of the Mumtaz Hotel near the sacred Tirumala hills. He revealed that while permission had been granted earlier for the hotel, the government has now decided to cancel the approval. The hotel project, planned on 35.32 acres of land, will no longer proceed as the state is committed to preventing commercialization near the Seven Hills.

"There should be no commercialization near the Seven Hills of Tirumala," Naidu emphasized.

Earlier, the TTD had urged the government to revoke the land allotment for the hotel, citing concerns over its proximity to the temple. TTD chairman BR Naidu stated that the project's location made it "highly objectionable" to devotees.

The decision reflects the state government's stance on preserving the sanctity of the Tirumala temple region while ensuring temple administration aligns with its religious traditions.