“Non-Hindu should not work in Temples,” Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced in a move to safeguard religious sentiments. As reported by Swarajya, CM Naidu made this remark during a meeting with officials from the Hindu Religious Endowment Department on Tuesday. He emphasized that only Hindus will be employed in the state’s Temples.
CM Naidu presented a roadmap aimed at improving the temple management in the state. According to him, Promoting religious tourism and ensuring religious and cultural integrity will create a spiritual environment in the state.
“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,” CM Naidu said.
Financial aid to promote spirituality
The Andhra CM also announced a salary increment of Rs 5,000 for 1,683 Archakas employed in various temples. The state government further increased the funding under the Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam Scheme from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 per month, which is a crucial financial injection for small temples.
The state government further allotted Rs 3,000 monthly allowance for unemployed youth who have pursued Veda Vidya. Also, a minimum salary of Rs 25,000 per month was proposed for Nayee Brahmins (barbers working in temples).
According to a report by Swarajya, the CM also announced the establishment of a committee to supervise the development of temples. The officials from the Tourism Department, Hindu Charities Department, and Forest Department are likely to constitute this committee. This committee will also ensure that the natural beauty and spiritual significance of forest-situated temples are protected.
The addition of two more board members came out as the decision of the meeting. Now, there will be 17 board members for the temples with a revenue of more than Rs 20 crore. Previously there were 15 members. Keeping the promise made during the election campaign, the Naidu government announced the appointment of a Brahmin and a Nayee Brahmin as board members.
CM Naidu also criticised the attacks on Hindu temples during the Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure. He condemned the burning of a temple chariot. He assured strict action against the culprits who sparked the violence and outrage. He further pointed out that forced religious conversion is intolerable in the state.
“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,” CM Naidu said.
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