Owaisi questioned the TDP's support for TTD's Hindu-only employment policy whilst backing the Centre's contentious Waqf Bill.
Published Feb 06, 2025 | 12:43 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 06, 2025 | 12:43 AM
Synopsis: Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi criticised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for ‘hypocrisy’ after the Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanams announced disciplinary action against 18 employees for practising non-Hindu practices, despite the TDP supporting the Centre’s Waqf Amendment Bill requiring non-Muslim representation in Islamic religious boards.
AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi accused the Telugu Desam Party-Jana Sena Alliance government in Andhra Pradesh of “hypocrisy in broad daylight” on Wednesday, 5 February, after the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) began disciplinary proceedings against 18 employees for following “non-Hindu customs and traditions”.
The controversy erupted when TTD chairman BR Naidu announced the impending action against staff members on X, prompting a sharp response from the AIMIM leader.
Owaisi questioned the TDP’s contradictory stance on religious institutions, highlighting the party’s support for the Centre’s contentious Waqf Amendment Bill whilst backing TTD’s Hindu-only employment policy within the state.
It is being reported that Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has identified 18 employees that are not following Hindu traditions or are non-Hindu. TTD argues that since it is a Hindu institution, non-Hindus shouldn’t be employed by it. We have no objection to it. But @ncbn should…
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) February 5, 2025
The TDP, having previously espoused secular values, has demonstrably leaned towards the Hindutva agenda since aligning with the BJP.
“TTD argues that since it is a Hindu institution, non-Hindus shouldn’t be employed by it. We have no objection to it. But [Chandrababu Naidu] should explain why his party supported BJP’s Wakf Bill in the Joint Working Committee. The Bill mandates a minimum of two non-Muslims in the Central Wakf Council and State Wakf Board. The Bill also removes the requirement that the Council and the Board should have a majority of Muslims,” Owaisi wrote in a detailed post on X.
He highlighted provisions in the AP Hindu Endowments Act that mandate Hindu-only appointments for trustees, commissioners, assistant commissioners and inspectors, including TTD positions under Section 96. This legal framework, Owaisi suggested, stands in stark contrast to the proposed changes to Waqf administration.
“Now what is the Waqf Bill doing? Non-Muslims cannot dedicate waqf. But at least two members of Muslim CWC and Muslim Waqf Boards should be non-Muslim. A majority of CWC or Waqf Boards can be non-Muslim. Earlier these members were elected, they will now be nominated by the govt, and the govt is very capable of having a non-Muslim majority CWC/Board. Why such hatred against democratic elections?” he questioned.
“If only Hindus should govern Hindu Endowments, and only Hindus should be employees. Then why this discrimination against Muslim Waqfs?”
Despite pressure from Muslim leaders in Andhra Pradesh to oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill tabled by the BJP, the TDP has maintained a calculated ambiguity. The party proposed four amendments when the Joint Parliamentary Committee reviewed the legislation, primarily to pacify its Muslim constituents in Andhra Pradesh, whilst avoiding a clear stance on the overall bill.
As the second-largest NDA constituent with 16 MPs after the BJP, the TDP wields considerable influence in the alliance. However, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has notably not expressed opposition and is thought to be inclined to support the bill in Parliament even if his proposed amendments fail to gain acceptance.
This ambiguous approach reportedly stems from Naidu’s priorities for securing central funding for big-ticket projects like Amaravati and Polavaram. Political observers note that whilst the BJP cannot easily override the TDP’s concerns, Naidu has shown reluctance to exert significant pressure on the saffron party leadership regarding the Waqf Bill.
The legislation, which the government first introduced in the Lok Sabha on 8 August 2024, was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee the following day for detailed review. The JPC submitted its final report on 31 January 2025, setting the stage for potential parliamentary consideration.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
