Tirupati: Bandi Sanjay Minister of State for Home Affairs said that TTD should not serve as a choultry for individuals of other faiths. He urged TTD board to conduct a probe to identify and remove non-Hindu employees from the TTD with immediate effect.

During his two-day visit to Tirumala, speaking to media personnel after the darshan of Lord Venkateswara on Friday morning, he raised concerns about non-Hindus working in the TTD. He demanded the immediate dismissal of around 1,000 such employees to uphold Hindu traditions.

He also said that his demand was not a request but a firm stance; he cited concerns raised by several TTD employees he met on Thursday.  He pointed to a recent suspension of an assistant executive officer by TTD authorities as an example.

He questioned how non-Hindus were recruited into the TTD workforce in the first place. He urged TTD Board Chairman BR Naidu and other administrators, whom he described as traditional and committed, to ensure that only Hindus are employed in the temple board.

He asserted that the presence of non-Hindu staff, who he claimed lack faith in Hindu deities, could cause discomfort among Hindu devotees. He asserted that TTD should not serve as a choultry (rest house) for individuals of other faiths.

He urged TTD to take responsibility for maintaining ‘Deepa, Dhoopa, Naivedyam’ (traditional offerings) at temples across Telugu states. He specifically requested financial assistance and upgrades for three temples in the Karimnagar district Kondagattu, Illendu, and Vemulavada. He also pointed out that a temple in his constituency was announced, but has seen no progress.