Non-Hindus Should Not Be Employed In Hindu Temples: Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has said that only Hindus will be employed in the temples in the state.

During a key meeting with officials from the Hindu Religious Endowment Department, Naidu laid out an extensive plan aimed at revitalising temple management, promoting religious tourism, and ensuring spiritual and cultural integrity across Andhra Pradesh. 

The Naidu government also decided to hike the salaries of 1,683 Archakas working in different temples across the State to Rs 15,000 per month from Rs 10,000.

Further, the state government also decided to increase financial assistance provided to small temples under the Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam Scheme to Rs 10,000 per month from Rs 5,000.

During the meeting on Tuesday (27 August), Naidu emphasized the need for spirituality to flourish in every temple across the state. He instructed that temples and their surroundings must be kept impeccably clean, ensuring that the spiritual atmosphere remains

"Spirituality must thrive in every temple in Andhra Pradesh. Spiritual programmes should be conducted in a way that attracts devotees to return to the temple without feeling extorted for money. It is essential that the temples and their surroundings are kept extremely clean," the Andhra CM said.

Further, a proposal to provide Rs 3,000 monthly allowance to youth who have pursued Veda Vidya but are unemployed, was also approved.

Naidu also announced Rs 25,000 minimum monthly salary for Nayee Brahmins (barbers working in temples).

He also announced the formation of a committee comprising officials from the Tourism Department, Hindu Charities Department, and Forest Department to oversee the development of temples, particularly those located in forested areas, ensuring that the natural beauty and spiritual significance of these sites are preserved while making them accessible to more visitors.

During the meeting, it was decided that two more board members will be added to temple trusts.

Temples with revenue of Rs 20 crore and more have 15 members on the trust board. Now, the number will be increased to 17.

Further, it was clarified the trust board will have a Brahmin and a Nayee Brahmin as board members, as promised by the NDA in the run up to elections.

During the meeting, Naidu strongly condemned the incidents of attacks on Hindu temples during the previous Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy administration, including the burning of a temple chariot.

He called for strict action against those responsible for such crimes and emphasised that forced religious conversions would not be tolerated in Andhra Pradesh. 

He remarked that sentiments of devotees are of utmost importance and non-Hindus should not work in temples.

"Forced religious conversions should not happen in Andhra Pradesh. No jobs should be given to non-Hindus in Hindu temples. Trustees are going to be appointed for 1,110 temples in Andhra Pradesh," the CM said.

Naidu also announced that 87,000 acres of temple land currently occupied illegally would be reclaimed through legal action.

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