Tirupati: In a widely welcomed move, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is edging closer to resolving its decades-old issue of the presence of non-Hindu employees in its fold.
The board has resolved to offer such employees an opportunity for voluntary retirement or transfers to other government departments. This decision was taken at the first meeting of the new trust board headed by its chairman BR Naidu.
Official records show TTD has 44 employees across various departments from other religions.
This approach would avoid the possibility of a termination of services of these employees who have been serving TTD for a long time.
The presence of non-Hindu employees in TTD ranks has been a sensitive matter for years. “We would ensure that employees opting for transfers do not face any hassles related to salary, allowances, or status,” a senior TTD official said.
Some years ago, when show-cause notices were issued, many employees approached the court and got a stay in February 2018, stalling further action.
Historically, under non-Hindu royal dynasties and British administration, religious tolerance prevailed, leaving little room for controversy. However, the mid-1980s saw the issue coming to the fore. The state government issued GO-1060 in October 1989, prohibiting non-Hindu activities in Tirumala and mandating disciplinary action against violators.
In 2007, the state government issued two significant orders— GOs 746 and 747 to address the issue. GO 746 completely banned non-Hindu activities within the seven hills of Tirumala, while GO 747 allowed filing of criminal cases and termination of services of employees engaging in activities “contrary to Hindu beliefs.”
“Tirumala hill town was once a symbol of religious tolerance. Such controversies are a recent phenomenon shaped by evolving socio-political dynamics,” a retired TTD official observed.
In 2008, TTD introduced a rule mandating that new employees must be Hindus. Existing non-Hindu staff were transferred to TTD’s educational and medical institutions. Yet, the issue resurfaced in 2016-2017 when allegations were made that some employees indulged in non-Hindu propaganda.
Yet, in 2018, legal hurdles emerged when employees served with service termination notices obtained a court stay, stalling any further action from the TTD.
In August 2019, then chief secretary LV Subrahmanyam issued a directive, saying TTD employees following non-Hindu practices must limit their religious activities to their homes. They were warned of termination of services if they hurt Hindu sentiments.
The present resolution by the TTD board takes a humanitarian approach to the long-standing issue. It aims to balance religious sensitivities with a fair deal to the non-Hindu employees who served TTD for decades.
While the TTD board resolution has been widely welcomed, challenges remain in its implementation, particularly regarding timelines and employee responses.
Questions have also been raised about compliance with court orders to avoid fresh legal hurdles. However, the TTD board appears committed to resolving this decades-old issue.
Highlights:
New Resolution (2024):
- Offers voluntary retirement or transfer options to non-Hindu employees.
- Aims to address religious sensitivities while ensuring a fair deal to long-serving staff
Historical Context:
- Tirumala once symbolized religious harmony under non-Hindu royal dynasties and British rule
- Concerns expressed in the mid-1980s about non-Hindu propaganda prompted stricter policies
Government Orders (GOs):
- GO 1060 (1989): Prohibited non-Hindu activities in Tirumala; mandated disciplinary action against violators
- GO 746 (issued in 2007): Banned all non-Hindu activities within Tirumala’s sacred seven hills
- GO 747 (issued in 2007): Allowed criminal prosecution and termination of services of employees engaging in activities contrary to Hindu beliefs
Challenges Ahead:
- Smooth implementation of the resolution without hurdles
- How the court would respond to emerging situations
