Mon Nov 04 17:24:32 UTC 2024: ## Tirupati Temple Row: Owaisi Slams BJP Over Waqf Bill, Citing Hindu Endowment Laws
**Hyderabad:** The Tirupati Balaji Temple, managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board, has been embroiled in controversy following a statement by its new chairman, B.R. Naidu. Naidu had declared that all employees working at the Tirumala temple should be Hindus.
This statement sparked outrage, particularly from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi. Owaisi argued that the BJP government’s push for non-Muslim representation on Waqf Boards contradicts the existing Hindu Endowment laws, which restrict membership to only Hindus.
“If TTD board members cannot be Muslim, how can there be two non-Muslim members on the Waqf board?” Owaisi questioned, highlighting the apparent double standard. He further asserted that the TTD board, comprising 24 members, has no non-Hindu representation.
Owaisi underscored the principle of equality, stating that “TTD is a Hindu board and the Waqf board is for Muslims. There should be parity.”
The TTD board, while maintaining its commitment to Hindu employees at the temple, is expected to discuss the future of non-Hindu employees with the Andhra Pradesh government. Options such as voluntary retirement schemes or transfers to other departments are being considered.
First Piper 