Can't retire TTD Hereditary Priests
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad high court has held that the priests of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) cannot be forced to retire at the age of 65. Justice M. S. Ramachandra Rao of the Hyderabad High Court on Thursday set aside the order of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) directing retirement of Archakas (Priests) on reaching 65 years of age.
The judgment was delivered on Wednesday after hearing a plea by two hereditary priests A B Seshadri and M G Murali, who questioned the June 2018 order of the TTD which retired them from Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple at Tiruchanoor. There are four hereditary priest families who perform the rituals at TTD temples. This includes the family of chief priest Ramana Dikshitulu. He too was retired along with the petitioners.
In June 2018, the TTD had passed a resolution stating that the archakas must be retired at the age of 65. Delivering the judgement, Justice M S Ramachandra Rao stated that the retirement order as unconstitutional. He said TTD ought to have taken note that the state government as well as the Supreme Court have time and again treated hereditary priests as a special category entitled to special benefits notwithstanding the abolition of hereditary rights.
TTD sources said the temple administration will challenge the order in the Supreme Court.
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad high court has held that the priests of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) cannot be forced to retire at the age of 65. Justice M. S. Ramachandra Rao of the Hyderabad High Court on Thursday set aside the order of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) directing retirement of Archakas (Priests) on reaching 65 years of age.
The judgment was delivered on Wednesday after hearing a plea by two hereditary priests A B Seshadri and M G Murali, who questioned the June 2018 order of the TTD which retired them from Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple at Tiruchanoor. There are four hereditary priest families who perform the rituals at TTD temples. This includes the family of chief priest Ramana Dikshitulu. He too was retired along with the petitioners.
In June 2018, the TTD had passed a resolution stating that the archakas must be retired at the age of 65. Delivering the judgement, Justice M S Ramachandra Rao stated that the retirement order as unconstitutional. He said TTD ought to have taken note that the state government as well as the Supreme Court have time and again treated hereditary priests as a special category entitled to special benefits notwithstanding the abolition of hereditary rights.
TTD sources said the temple administration will challenge the order in the Supreme Court.
News Posted: 14 December, 2018
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