TTD Faces Fresh Controversy Over Non-Hindu Employees
Former TTD chairman and ex-MLA Bhumana Karunakar Reddy strongly criticised Bandi Sanjay’s claim that over 1,000 non-Hindus were employed by TTD.
Nellore:A fresh controversy has erupted over the alleged presence of non-Hindu employees in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), following remarks made by BJP leader Bandi Sanjay and counterstatements by YSR Congress leaders and TTD board members.
Former TTD chairman and ex-MLA Bhumana Karunakar Reddy strongly criticised Bandi Sanjay’s claim that over 1,000 non-Hindus were employed by TTD. Speaking to the media in Tirupati on Saturday, Bhumana clarified that the board had identified 22 non-Hindu employees six months ago and had made the information public.
He accused Bandi Sanjay of attempting to create unrest. “His comments are part of a larger conspiracy to damage the sanctity of Hindu temples. These remarks deeply hurt the sentiments of devotees. The government should issue a clarification on these baseless allegations,” he said.
However, TTD board member Bhanuprakash offered a conflicting view, stating that the number might indeed exceed 1,000. “There are strong suspicions. While some staff may carry Hindu names, symbols of other faiths are visible in their homes,” he said.
Bhanuprakash called for a house-to-house verification survey and challenged Bhumana to support the removal of such employees if identified. He added, “It is during the YSRCP’s rule that numerous temple attacks took place,” further fuelling the controversy.
