In a recent statement, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi questioned the Indian government’s proposal to mandate the inclusion of two non-Muslim members on the Waqf Board. Comparing this with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board, he argued that if TTD’s 24-member board, which oversees one of Hinduism’s most significant temples, exclusively comprises Hindus, the Waqf Board—a body associated with Muslim religious property—should similarly consist only of Muslim members.

Owaisi remarked on a recent declaration by TTD’s Chairman, who stated that only Hindus should be employed at the temple. Owaisi noted he had no objection to this policy but opposed the proposed Waqf bill amendment requiring non-Muslim representation on the Waqf Council, as outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

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“TTD is a Hindu board, while the Waqf Board is intended for the Muslim community. Why is there no parity?” questioned Owaisi, suggesting that the move could be seen as an unnecessary imposition. He contended that just as non-Hindus are not allowed on the TTD board, it would be inappropriate to enforce non-Muslim representation on the Waqf Board.

“Not even a single member of the 24 members of TTD Board (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) is a non-Hindu…The new Chairman of TTD says that the people working there should be Hindu…We are not against this, we just have an objection to the fact that Narendra Modi’s government is saying in the proposed bill of Waqf that in the central Waqf Council, it has been made mandatory that 2 non-Muslims members should be there…Why are you bringing this provision in the Waqf bill?” Owaisi asked.

The newly designated chairman of TTD Board B R Naidu on October 31 had said that all persons who works at the temple’s premises should be Hindus. “Everyone who works at Tirumala should be a Hindu. That would be my first effort. There are many issues in this. We have to look into that,” BR Naidu had said.

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He further added that he would discuss with the Andhra Pradesh government on the way forward in dealing with staff members belonging to other faiths. Naidu also said he would consider the possibility of granting them a VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme) or transferring them to other departments.