Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu made a bold announcement to protect Hindu jobs within temples in the state, guaranteeing that temple positions are solely for members of the Sanatana faith. At an important meeting with the Hindu Religious Endowment Department, the Andhra CM said that only Hindus would be employed in the temples in the state.
CM Naidu unveiled a comprehensive plan to revive temple administration, promote religious tourism, and ensure spiritual and cultural integrity throughout Andhra Pradesh. The Naidu government has also decided to raise the salary of 1,683 Archakas who operate in various temples across the state from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per month.
Furthermore, the Andhra Pradesh state government has consented to boost the monthly financial support granted to minor temples under the Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam Scheme to Rs 10,000 from Rs 5,000. During the meeting on Tuesday, 29th August, CM Naidu underlined the importance of spirituality in all temples across the state. He directed that temples and their surroundings must be kept immaculately clean to maintain the spiritual aura.
“Spirituality must thrive in every temple in Andhra Pradesh. Spiritual programs 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 was quoted as saying.
Furthermore, a proposal to grant a monthly payment of Rs 3,000 to youth who have completed Veda Vidya but are currently unemployed was approved. Naidu additionally established a minimum monthly pay of Rs 25,000 for Naai Brahmins, barbers who serve in temples.
CM Chandrababu Naidu also announced the formation of a committee comprised of officials from the Tourism Department, Hindu Charities Department, and Forest Department to oversee temple development, particularly in forested areas, in order to preserve the natural beauty and religious significance of these sites while making them more easily accessible to visitors.
During the meeting, it was decided that two additional board members would be added to the temple trust. Temples with an income of Rs 20 crore or more have 15 members on their trust board. The number will now be increased to seventeen. Furthermore, it was emphasised that the trust board will include a Brahmin and a Naai Brahmin, as promised by the NDA prior to the elections.
During the conversation, Naidu sharply criticised attacks on Hindu temples under the former YS Jagan Mohan Reddy regime, including the burning of a temple chariot. He demanded harsh action against individuals involved in such acts, emphasising that forced religious conversions would not be accepted in Andhra Pradesh.
He stated that the sentiments of devotees are extremely important and that non-Hindus should not operate 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.
CM Naidu also promised that 87,000 acres of temple land that are currently illegally occupied will be restored through legal action.
