The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), responsible for managing the sacred hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara, has suspended Assistant Executive Officer A Rajasekhar Babu. This decision was made after allegations surfaced that he attended church services in his hometown of Puttur, located in the Tirupati district. The suspension is immediate and stems from accusations that Babu participated in church prayers every Sunday and engaged in activities perceived as “propagating Christianity.” Such actions are considered a breach of the code of conduct for employees of the Hindu trust.

The TTD issued a statement highlighting that it had been informed of Babu’s regular attendance at local church services. This behavior is deemed a violation of TTD norms, as employees are expected to uphold the values and practices of the Hindu religious organization they represent. The temple body emphasized that Babu’s actions were irresponsible and contrary to the expectations set for its staff.

This suspension is part of a larger initiative by the TTD to address similar issues among its employees. Previously, the organization had transferred 18 staff members, including teachers, technical officers, and nurses, for participating in non-Hindu religious activities. The TTD’s Chief Public Relations Officer confirmed that the decision to suspend Babu followed a report from the Vigilance Department, which included evidence supporting the allegations against him.

A video circulating online purportedly shows Babu attending church services and participating in prayers, further substantiating the claims. The TTD’s actions reflect its commitment to maintaining the religious integrity of its workforce and ensuring adherence to its established code of conduct.