Tirupati Temple Board Tightens Control: Non-Hindu Staff Removed, Land Resolution Passed & More

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) board, under the leadership of its newly appointed Chairman, has introduced a series of significant decisions following a political showdown over the temple prasadam. One of the major changes includes the removal of non-Hindu employees, offering them Voluntary Retirement Schemes or transfers to other government departments. Estimates suggest around 300 permanent staff are affected. Additionally, the TTD has banned political speeches in temple premises, improved the quality of prasadam ghee, and cut the waiting time at the Venkateshwara temple by 2-3 hours. The board also passed a resolution requesting the state government to cancel the allotment of 20 acres of land near Alipiri for the proposed Mumtaz Hotel, claiming it insults devotees' sentiments. The political debate continues, with TDP and BJP welcoming the changes, while YSRCP questions the board's motivations. This comes after a previous row concerning the quality of prasadam ghee used under the former CM’s government.