TTD trust board set to take oath tomorrow

TTD Chairman appointee B. Rajagopal Naidu has underscored his commitment to enforcing a Hindu-only workforce policy within the TTD. “Everyone who works at Tirumala should be Hindu,” Naidu stated at a recent press conference, stressing the need to uphold the religious sanctity of the temple. He indicated plans to consult with the government on options such as reassigning non-Hindu staff to other departments or offering voluntary retirement.

Naidu’s stance, however, has stirred controversy. AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the proposal, arguing for consistency in religious staffing policies. Owaisi highlighted the NDA government’s mandate for non-Muslim representation on Waqf Boards and Councils, suggesting a similar approach for the TTD. In response, Naidu called the comparison misplaced, stating that the Waqf primarily serves as a real estate entity, unlike the temple-centric TTD.

The issue of non-Hindu employees at TTD has been a topic of debate since a 2017 government report identified 44 such employees in the organization. Although no action was taken following the report, calls for a Hindu-only workforce persisted. Naidu has assured that the board will prioritize this issue in its inaugural meeting, intending to implement policies that align with the temple's dedication to Sanatana Dharma.

Another key agenda item is the SRIVANI Trust, established in 2019 to collect donations for temple construction and renovation projects in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. SRIVANI allows devotees to contribute Rs 10,000, with an additional Rs 500 securing a VIP darshan ticket. By January 2024, the trust had collected over Rs 1,085.84 crore from more than 10 lakh devotees. However, allegations of fund mismanagement and selective contracting have marred its reputation, prompting calls for reform. Naidu has proposed dissolving SRIVANI, suggesting that a single primary trust could serve the TTD’s needs effectively.