The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has suspended its Assistant Executive Officer A. Rajasekhar Babu, on charges of professing an alien faith, in violation of the declaration provided at the time of appointment to adhere to the Hinduism.
It recently came to the notice of the TTD management that Mr. Babu regularly attended the church and prayed every Sunday in his hometown of Puttur in Tirupati district.
“It is nothing but the violation of the TTD norms, as he (Rajasekhar Babu) has not followed the code of conduct as an employee. He has acted irresponsibly as an employee representing a Hindu religious organisation,” a TTD release said.
The employees, while joining the TTD service, are required to take an oath and sign a declaration that they will follow the Hindu Dharma and practise Hindu traditions only, in compliance with Rule 9 (vi) of the Service Rules issued in G.O.Ms.No.1060 Revenue (Endowments-1), dated 24 October, 1989.
The TTD’s Vigilance department, which probed the issue, gathered evidence against Mr. Rajasekhar Babu and submitted a report, based on which the departmental action was initiated as per the rules.
The TTD management, at its trust board meeting on November 18, 2024, resolved to surrender the non-Hindus working in the temple administration in various capacities to the government.
According to a report made available in 2018, there are 44 employees of other religious faiths working with the TTD.
Published – July 09, 2025 09:03 am IST
