On 17 April, 2025, during hearing of Waqf (amendment) Act 2025, The Chief Justice of India (CJI), Sanjiv Khanna, questioned Solicitor General Tushar Mehta about the logic and fairness of including non-Muslims in the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards, which are Muslim religious institutions. He asked, “Mr. Tushar Mehta, are you arguing that, as far as Hindu endowments or Hindu religious bodies are concerned, you would allow minorities, including Muslims, to be members of the Board or Council? Please say that very openly.”

The Supreme Court granted the Union Government seven days to file its reply, but on the condition that “no non-Muslim members will be nominated to the Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards till the next date of hearing (May 5, 2025).”

Between 2013 and 2024, multiple instances have surfaced across Bharat where non-Hindus were appointed to key roles in the management and administration of Hindu temples and religious events. These appointments span government boards, temple trusts, and festival committees, raising concerns about the preservation of Hindu religious autonomy.

This report provides a detailed compilation of such instances, which is divided into two parts: firstly, six incidents related to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) involving appointments of individuals identified as crypto-Christians, and secondly, seven incidents involving non-Hindus in other Hindu temples and religious events.

Part 1: Six Incidents of Crypto-Christian Appointments in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)

1. Appointment of Bhumana Karunakar Reddy as TTD Chairman (August 2023)

Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, a Tirupati MLA with Christian affiliations, was appointed chairman of the TTD Board. He had previously served in this role (2006-2008) under the Congress government. Notably, a video surfaced in which the mother of former Chief Minister YS Jagan Reddy stated, “We are a Christian family. We go to temples only for Hindu votes,” highlighting the political and religious complexities behind such appointments.

2. Christian Teachers Appointed in TTD-run School (January 2023)

Three surplus Christian teachers from government-aided non-Hindu schools in Vellore district were automatically appointed to fill vacancies at the Sri Venkateswara Higher Secondary School under TTD administration. This appointment was made by the State School Education Department without apparent consideration of religious affiliation.

3. TTD Employee Found to be a Crypto-Christian (July 2020)

Shri A Rajasekhar Rao, Assistant Executive Officer responsible for Hundi counting at the Tirupati temple, was revealed to be a practicing Christian despite officially declaring himself Hindu. Social media videos showed him praying in a Lutheran church, raising questions about transparency and religious eligibility in temple administration.

4. Discovery of 44 Non-Hindu Staff in TTD (January 2018)

The TTD management found that 44 employees, mostly Christians, were working within its ranks, with 39 recruited between 1989 and 2007. This revelation sparked controversy over the recruitment policies and religious representation within the temple administration.

5. Christian MLA Vangalapudi Anita on TTD Trust Board (April 2018)

Vangalapudi Anita, a born Christian legislator married to a Hindu, was appointed to the TTD Trust Board. She openly acknowledged her Christian faith, stating she always carried a Bible. Her appointment raised concerns about religious identity and the sanctity of Hindu temple governance.

6. Government Officer Using Official Resources for Church Visits (December 2017)

Ms. Snehalatha, Deputy Executive Officer in TTD’s Welfare Department, was found regularly attending a Lutheran church using an official vehicle, violating service rules. She reportedly did not partake in temple prasadam but accepted gifts during Brahmotsavam, highlighting conflicts of interest and religious propriety,

Part 2: Seven Incidents of Non-Hindu Employees in Other Temples and Hindu Events

1. Non-Hindu Member in Brahmotsavam Committee, Shri Avimukteshwara Swamy Temple, Karnataka (May 2024)

Mr. Nawaz, a non-Hindu, was appointed to the committee responsible for organizing the Brahmotsavam festival at the Shri Avimukteshwara Swamy Temple in Bangalore Rural District. This appointment stirred debate over the appropriateness of non-Hindus managing Hindu religious festivities.

2. Removal of Non-Hindu Employees from Maa Sharda Temple, Madhya Pradesh (April 2023)

The Madhya Pradesh government’s Department of Culture removed three Muslim employees—Abid Hussain, Ayub Khan, and Yusuf Khan—from positions associated with the Maa Sharda Temple in Maihar, Satna district, following public and political pressure.

3. Non-Hindu Appointments in Maa Jwalamukhi Temple, Himachal Pradesh (March 2021)

Jashan Deen and Shakeen Mohhamad, non-Hindu langar sevadars, were appointed at the Maa Jwalamukhi Temple. This move was opposed by nine non-government members of the temple, reflecting resistance within the community to non-Hindu involvement in temple affairs.

4. Seventeen Non-Hindu Employees in Srisailam Devasthanams, Andhra Pradesh (August 2019)

Srisailam temple administration employed 17 non-Hindus, including Muslims and Christians, at various levels. Names such as S. Khasim Vali and Ch. Yohan were among those appointed, indicating a significant presence of non-Hindus in temple administration.

5. Firhad Hakim, a Muslim Leader, Appointed Chairman of Tarakeshwar Development Board, West Bengal (June 2017)

Firhad Hakim was appointed chairman of the Tarakeshwar Development Board overseeing the historic 288-year-old Tarakeshwar Shiva temple. The appointment was met with criticism from opposition leaders due to his Muslim identity. Hakim resigned in 2019 amid continuing controversy.

6. Kerala Government Removes Hindu-Only Clause for Devaswom Temple Trust Chief (October 2018)

Kerala passed a bill eliminating the requirement that the head of the Devaswom Temple Trust be Hindu. This legislative change followed petitions and court cases challenging the clause as discriminatory, signaling a shift in temple governance policies.

7. Azam Khan, Muslim Leader, Appointed Chief of Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj (January 2013)

Azam Khan, a Muslim cabinet minister from Uttar Pradesh, was appointed chief of the Kumbh Mela, the largest Hindu pilgrimage event. Following a stampede at a railway station during the festival, he resigned in February 2013. His appointment had sparked debate about religious representation in managing Hindu events.

Implications of Non-Hindu Appointments in Hindu Religious Institutions

The above incidents collectively highlight a pattern of non-Hindu involvement in Hindu temple administration and religious events, often facilitated or sanctioned by state governments. This trend has multifaceted implications:

• Erosion of Religious Autonomy and Identity:
  Hindu temples are not merely cultural or charitable institutions; they are sacred spaces governed by religious doctrines and rituals. The appointment of non-Hindus, especially those who do not adhere to Hindu beliefs, risks undermining the sanctity and traditional practices of these institutions.
• Lack of Reciprocity in non-Hindu Religious Bodies:
  The Supreme Court’s questioning during the 2025 Waqf (Amendment) Act hearings underscored the asymmetry where non-Muslims are included in Muslim religious boards, yet similar inclusion of minorities in Hindu temple management is not practiced. This raises questions about fairness, secularism, and the protection of religious rights.
• Political and Administrative Overreach:
  Many appointments appear politically motivated or driven by bureaucratic convenience rather than religious suitability, leading to potential conflicts of interest and dilution of community control.
• Community Alienation and Distrust:
  Such appointments can alienate devout Hindus who feel their religious institutions are being co-opted or mismanaged by outsiders, leading to social tension and loss of trust in temple authorities.

Call for Hindu Society to Protect and Strengthen Its Institutions

To safeguard the sanctity and autonomy of Hindu religious institutions, the Hindu community must take proactive steps:

1. Advocate for Legal Protections and Parity:
   Hindu organizations should push for laws that explicitly protect the right of Hindus to manage their temples and religious events, ensuring parity with protections afforded to non-Hindu religious bodies.
2. Promote Transparent and Dharma-Aligned Governance:
   Temples should implement transparent recruitment and appointment processes that prioritize candidates who adhere to Hindu dharma and understand temple traditions.
3. Increase Community Engagement and Awareness:
   Devotees and community leaders must be informed about governance issues and mobilize to hold temple authorities accountable.
4. Engage in Policy and Judicial Processes:
   Hindu representatives should actively participate in legislative debates and court cases to articulate concerns and propose reforms.
5. Strengthen Internal Capacity:
   Investing in training and capacity-building within Hindu institutions can reduce the perceived need for external appointments and improve administration.

Conclusion

The 13 documented incidents from 2013 to 2024 reveal a concerning pattern of non-Hindus being appointed to manage Hindu temples and religious events, often without adequate consideration of religious suitability. These developments challenge the religious autonomy and identity of Hindu institutions at a time when the Supreme Court is scrutinizing similar issues in Muslim religious bodies.

For the preservation and strengthening of Hindu religious heritage, it is imperative that Hindu society asserts its rights, seeks legal safeguards, and fosters governance that respects and reflects Hindu dharma and tradition. Only through collective vigilance and proactive action can the sanctity of Hindu temples and festivals be maintained for future generations.

Source: “13 Incidents: Non-Hindus appointed in Hindu temples” (PDF Report)