In recent years, many Hindu devotees have become worried about non-Hindus being given important roles in the management of Hindu temples across India. These roles included taking care of temple rituals and looking after temple activities – jobs that were always meant for practising Hindus. Many Hindus see this as an attack on their beliefs and a threat to the purity and traditions of their temples. Here is a list of cases where non-hindus have been appointed in Hindu temples
April 17, 2025 – A landmark day in India’s cultural debate
In a hearing that could reshape India’s narrative on religious equality, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna raised a sharp, unapologetic question in the Supreme Court – one that pierced through the hollow echo chambers of selective secularism.
The case? The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
The question? Why are non-Muslims being nominated to Muslim religious bodies like the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards?
But it didn’t stop there.
The CJI turned to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and asked:
“Mr. Mehta, are you saying that just as non-Muslims are allowed in Muslim religious bodies, you would also allow Muslims and other minorities into the boards of Hindu religious institutions? Please say that very openly.”
The courtroom fell silent. A question decades in the making had finally been voiced – loud and clear.
The Supreme Court gave the Union Government 7 days to respond. But with a bold rider:
“Until May 5, 2025, no non-Muslim member shall be nominated to the Central Waqf Council or State Waqf Boards.”
For the first time in recent memory, the judiciary acknowledged the double standards that Hindus have long suffered under India’s so-called secular framework.
But here’s the bitter truth:
While this sudden concern for “parity” is new to Waqf Boards, it’s nothing new for Hindus. In fact, for over a decade, Hindu religious institutions have been the only ones subjected to state control, political interference, and “secular inclusivity.”
Across India, non-Hindus have been appointed to Hindu temple boards, trust committees, and religious event management teams – often with no knowledge or respect for Hindu traditions.
This report has compiled 13 incidents in which non-Hindus were appointed in the management and administration of Hindu temples and Hindu religious events from 2013 to 2024.
The report is divided into 2 Parts:
Part 1: 6 Incidents: Crypto Christian appointment in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
Part 2: 7 Incidents: Non-Hindu employees in other temples.
6 Cases of ‘Crypto-Christian’ appointments in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)
On January 6, 2018, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam board – the guardian of one of Hinduism’s holiest shrines – found that 44 of its employees were non-Hindus. Most were followers of Christianity, secretly or openly. This raised serious concerns among devotees:
How can non-Hindus manage the day-to-day affairs of Bhagwan Venkateswara’s temple? How did they even get appointed in the first place?
This report focuses on 6 major incidents where people allegedly linked to Christianity – or known for anti-Hindu leanings – were appointed to top positions in TTD, often under political pressure.
Case 1: A ‘Crypto-Christian’ Returns as TTD Chairman (2023)
Date: 05 August, 2023
Board: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD)
Location: Andhra Pradesh
Appointed: Tirupati MLA Bhumana Karunakar Reddy
Post: Chairman, TTD Board
Why This Appointment Raised Eyebrows:
This was not the first time Bhumana was made Chairman. He was first appointed between 2006 and 2008 by the Congress government led by Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy. Notably, Dr YSR’s family, including his son Jagan Mohan Reddy (Ex CM of Andhra), are known to openly follow Christianity.
In a viral video, Jagan’s mother admits on camera: “We are a Christian family. We go to temples only for Hindu votes.” Bhumana’s own links to Christianity have often been discussed in public forums, though he has never officially confirmed his faith. However, many believe he represents the growing trend of ‘crypto-Christians’ – people who publicly pose as Hindus, but follow another faith privately. Why this matters:
TTD isn’t just any board – It manages thousands of crores worth of Hindu temple wealth, donations from millions of bhakts, sacred rituals, and temple traditions going back centuries. Allowing individuals who do not believe in Sanatan Dharma to manage such institutions is not just dangerous – it’s a cultural and spiritual betrayal.
Case 2: Non-Hindu Teachers Appointed in Tirupati Devasthanam-Run School
Date: January 24, 2023
School Board: Sri Venkateswara Higher Secondary School (under Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam)
Location: Vellore, Tamil Nadu
In a controversial move, the State School Education Department has appointed three Christian teachers to the Sri Venkateswara Higher Secondary School, which is run by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, a prominent Hindu religious institution. These appointments were made by transferring surplus staff from other government-aided Christian minority schools in the Vellore district. This decision has raised concerns among those who believe that institutions linked to Hindu temples should uphold and reflect Hindu values, traditions, and religious integrity.
Case 3: TTD official exposed as Crypto-Christian
Date: July 9, 2020
Temple Board: Sri Venkateswara (SV) group of temples (Under Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam – TTD)
State: Andhra Pradesh
Shocking revelations have emerged about A Rajasekhar Rao, an Assistant Executive Officer (AEO) with the Sri Venkateswara group of temples. Despite holding a key position in the Tirupati temple’s Hundi counting department and officially identifying as a Hindu, he has now been exposed as a practising Christian.
In February 2020, Rajasekhar Rao was seen praying at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Puttur. Another video circulating on social media shows him worshipping Jesus in a church, confirming his true religious allegiance. This has sparked outrage among devotees and Hindu groups, who believe that individuals handling sacred temple responsibilities should be genuine followers of the faith, not those hiding behind false identities while practising other religions.
Case 4: Tirupati temple row: 44 Non-Hindu Employees Found in TTD
Date: January 6, 2018
Temple Board: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam
State: Andhra Pradesh
In a disturbing revelation, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, which manages one of the holiest Hindu temples in the country, discovered that 44 of its employees are non-Hindus, all of whom follow Christianity.
Out of these, 39 were appointed between 1989 and 2007 – raising serious questions about the recruitment process over the years and how such appointments were allowed in a temple that holds deep religious significance for Hindus. This has sparked concern among Hindu devotees and organisations, who believe that those working in sacred Hindu institutions should be true followers of the dharma, not individuals from other faiths with conflicting beliefs. Many are demanding stricter policies to protect the sanctity of temple services.
Case 5: Christian MLA Appointed to TTD Trust Board Sparks Outrage
Date: 21 April 2018
Temple Board: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam
State: Andhra Pradesh
In a move that has angered many Hindu devotees, Vangalapudi Anita, a Christian MLA from Payakaraopet, was appointed as a member of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Trust Board – the body responsible for managing the affairs of one of Hinduism’s holiest temples.
In a public interview, Vangalapudi openly admitted, “I am a Christian. I always keep a Bible in my bag and in my car. I talk about religion because I’m married to a Hindu. But I am a Christian.” Her appointment has been seen as deeply inappropriate by many, who believe that only practising Hindus should hold positions of authority in temple management, especially in institutions as sacred as the TTD.
Case 6: TTD officer breaks rules, uses official car to visit church
Date: December 8, 2017
Temple Board: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam
State: Andhra Pradesh
A serious violation has come to light within the TTD, as Snehalatha, Deputy Executive Officer in the Welfare Department, has been using her official government vehicle to visit a Christian Lutheran Church on a daily basis. This is a clear breach of service rules, especially for someone working in a sacred Hindu temple institution.
Reports also state that Snehalatha refuses to accept Prasadam – the holy offering of the temple – yet she attends temple events during Brahmotsavam and even accepts gifts, raising questions about her respect for the faith and the sanctity of the temple traditions. This incident has outraged many who believe that officials serving in Hindu religious institutions must be true believers, not individuals who disregard temple customs while promoting practices of other religions.
Part 2: Non-Hindu employees in other temples/Hindu events
Case 1: Non-Hindu appointed to Brahmotsavam Committee of Hindu Temple
Date: May 8, 2024
Temple: Shri Avimukteshwara Swamy Temple
Location: Bangalore Rural District, Karnataka
In a decision that has raised eyebrows among Hindu devotees, Nawaz, a non-Hindu, has been appointed to the committee responsible for overseeing the sacred Brahmotsavam celebrations at the Shri Avimukteshwara Swamy Temple.
Many are questioning how a person who does not follow the Hindu faith can be involved in organising one of the temple’s most important and spiritually significant festivals. Devotees and cultural groups have expressed concern that such appointments dilute the religious sanctity of temple affairs and disrespect age-old traditions.
Case 2: Non-Hindu employees removed from Maa Sharda temple duties
Date: April 19, 2023
Temple: Maa Sharda Temple
Location: Maihar, Satna District, Madhya Pradesh
In a welcome move, the Madhya Pradesh government’s Department of Culture has taken action to uphold the sanctity of Hindu religious institutions by removing non-Hindu employees – Abid Hussain, Ayub Khan, and Yusuf Khan – from duties associated with the revered Maa Sharda Temple.
The presence of non-Hindus in roles linked to temple activities had sparked concern among devotees and Hindu organisations, who demanded that sacred spaces be managed only by those who respect and follow the faith. This decisive step by the state government has been hailed by many as a much-needed effort to preserve the spiritual integrity and cultural heritage of Hindu temples.
Case 3: Non-Hindus appointed to serve in sacred Maa Jwalamukhi temple sparks outrage
Date: 21 March 2021
Temple: Maa Jwalamukhi Temple (Shaktipeeth)
Location: Himachal Pradesh
In a deeply controversial move, the Himachal Pradesh government appointed two non-Hindus – Jashan Deen and Shakeen Mohammad – as langar sevadars (food service volunteers) at the highly revered Maa Jwalamukhi Temple, one of the prominent Shaktipeeths in the country.
This decision has drawn strong opposition from the temple’s non-government members, all nine of whom stood firmly against the appointments. Devotees and Hindu groups have expressed serious concerns, stating that allowing individuals from outside the Hindu faith to serve in religious roles within sacred temples is an affront to centuries-old traditions.
The move is being seen as yet another instance of political interference and disregard for the religious sentiments of Hindus, who are calling for immediate reversal of such decisions to preserve the purity and dignity of their places of worship.
Case 4: 17 Non-Hindus appointed in Srisailam Temple administration raises serious concerns
Date: August 21, 2019
Temple: Srisailam Devasthanams
Location: Andhra Pradesh
In a matter that has alarmed devotees and Hindu groups across the country, it has come to light that 17 non-Hindu individuals have been appointed – either on a regular or temporary basis – within various roles in the administration of the sacred Srisailam Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and a deeply revered pilgrimage site for Hindus. Among the appointees are Muslims such as S. Khasim Vali, S. A. Wahab, and S. A. Rasool, as well as several Christians including Ch. Yohan, D. Ibrahim, K. Yebu, M. Chandi Bai, Y. Israel, P. Daniel, K. Benjamin, C. Emanuel, Ch. Isak, D. Devaraju, G. Mery, J. Lazar, J. Mariyamma, and K.K. Mariyamma.
This has sparked outrage among devotees who believe that those involved in the functioning of such a sacred Hindu institution should be devout followers of the faith, not individuals from religions that do not subscribe to Hindu beliefs and traditions.
Case 5: Muslim leader appointed to oversee 288-year-Old Shiva temple sparks controversy
Date: June 1, 2017
Temple/Board: Tarakeshwar Development Board (TDB)
Location: Hooghly, West Bengal
In a move that stirred widespread criticism and disbelief among Hindu devotees, the West Bengal government appointed Firhad Hakim, a Muslim and the state’s Urban Development Minister, as chairman of the newly formed Tarakeshwar Development Board. The board was created to oversee development and management around the sacred 288-year-old Tarakeshwar Shiva Temple – one of Bengal’s most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites.
The appointment of a non-Hindu to head the board managing a prominent Hindu religious institution drew a sharp backlash from opposition leaders and religious groups. Critics called it a deliberate disregard for the sentiments of the Hindu community and questioned the logic behind placing someone from outside the faith in such a significant religious role. Under sustained public pressure and protest, Firhad Hakim eventually resigned from the post in 2019. The incident remains a strong reminder of the need to protect Hindu temples from political interference and ensure that only practising Hindus are entrusted with responsibilities related to temple management and religious affairs.
Case 6: Kerala govt removes ‘Hindu-Only’ clause for temple trust head, sparks outrage
Date: October 16, 2018
Temple Board: Devaswom Temple Trust
Location: Kerala
In a move that has triggered widespread anger among Hindu devotees, the Kerala government passed a bill in October 2018 removing the long-standing clause that mandated only a Hindu could head the Devaswom Temple Trust – an institution responsible for managing Hindu temples across the state. This shocking decision came after petitions were filed in the Kerala High Court, to which the government responded by claiming that the clause was included “by mistake” and swiftly moved to eliminate it.
Critics have strongly condemned this as a direct attack on Hindu religious autonomy. They argue that the head of a body managing Hindu temples should unquestionably be a practising Hindu in order to protect the sanctity, traditions, and spiritual integrity of temple affairs.
Case 7: Azam Khan appointed Kumbh Mela chief in 2013, sparks backlash
Date: January 14, 2013
Event: Kumbh Mela 2013
Location: Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
In a highly controversial decision, the Samajwadi Party-led Uttar Pradesh government appointed senior party leader and Cabinet Minister Azam Khan – a Muslim politician – as the chief of the Kumbh Mela in 2013, the largest and holiest Hindu pilgrimage on earth.
The decision was met with outrage from Hindu groups and devotees, who questioned how someone who does not follow the Hindu faith could be entrusted with overseeing an event so deeply rooted in Sanatan Dharma and Vedic tradition. Concerns were raised about religious insensitivity and political appeasement overriding cultural and spiritual responsibilities. The situation worsened when a tragic stampede occurred at the Prayagraj railway station during the Mela, resulting in multiple deaths. Following massive public criticism and growing pressure, Azam Khan resigned from his post on February 11, 2013.
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