TTD chairman BR Naidu announces Hindu-only staff policy in Tirumala

Newly appointed chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Board, BR Naidu, announced his stance on staffing at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, stating that only Hindus should be employed within the temple precincts. Naidu emphasising his commitment to ensuring that Tirumala remains a symbol of Hindu faith and sanctity.
“Everyone who works at Tirumala should be Hindu. That would be my first effort. There are many issues with this. We have to look into that,” Naidu said while addressing the media on Thursday. He mentioned that he would consult with the Andhra Pradesh government to determine whether non-Hindu staff members could be transferred to other government departments or offered voluntary retirement.
Naidu expressed gratitude towards Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and the NDA government for his appointment, describing it as a “turning point” in his life. He further criticised the previous administration under YSR Congress, accusing it of mishandling the temple’s management, leading to what he described as a decline in the sanctity of Tirumala.
Highlighting his devotion to Lord Venkateswara, Naidu explained that he refrained from visiting Tirumala in the past five years due to the alleged mismanagement but used to visit regularly in the years prior.
The Andhra Pradesh government has reconstituted the TTD Board, now comprising 24 members, including BR Naidu and notable figures like Bharat Biotech’s co-founder, Suchitra Ella. This move follows a recent controversy where former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the temple’s popular Tirupati laddus during the previous administration.