Tirupati Devasthanams Suspends Officer For Attending Church Services, Tightens Code Of Conduct

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the world-famous Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala, has suspended Assistant Executive Officer (AEO) A Rajasekhar Babu over allegations of violating its religious code of conduct. The action follows reports that Babu had been regularly attending church services in his native town of Puttur, located in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati district.

According to a statement issued by the TTD’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Babu was found to have been participating in weekly Christian prayer services, as per a report on NDTV. His conduct was deemed inconsistent with the expectations for employees representing a Hindu religious institution.

The suspension is part of the TTD's ongoing efforts to enforce stricter adherence to its religious guidelines. In recent months, the temple board has taken disciplinary action against at least 18 non-Hindu employees, including lecturers, engineers, paramedical staff and technical officers, who were reportedly involved in non-Hindu religious practices, reported Deccan Herald. In February, the TTD barred these employees from participating in temple-organised religious or spiritual activities.

In May, the board escalated its policy by initiating the transfer of all non-Hindu staff from its departments to other Andhra Pradesh government offices, or offering them voluntary retirement schemes. Records from 2021 indicate that around 40 non-Hindu employees were working within the TTD system.

'Get Transferred Or Seek VRS': Tirupati Temple Board Tells Non-Hindu Employees

Earlier, TTD launched disciplinary action against 18 employees allegedly involved in non-Hindu religious activities while being part of the temple administration. The move follows a directive from TTD Chairman BR Naidu, reflecting the board's ongoing effort to ensure religious alignment among staff working at one of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimage centers.

TTD said, as per ANI, "Authorities have identified 18 employees who, despite being employed by TTD, are following non-Hindu religious traditions. Orders have been issued for disciplinary action against 18 identified employees who are participating in non-Hindu religious activities while also taking part in TTD festivals and rituals."

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