Tirupati, Feb. 5 -- Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has initiated disciplinary action against 18 employees for practising "non-Hindu religious customs or traditions".

The TTD, which manages the affairs of Sri Venkateswara temple, took action a few weeks after new TTD Board Chairman B.R. Naidu announced that only Hindus should work at the institutions run by the temple body.

The employees, who were found to be participating in non-Hindu religious activities include six teachers at various educational institutes run by it. Action has also been initiated against a deputy executive officer (Welfare), an assistant executive officer, an assistant technical officer (electrical), a hostel worker, two electricians, and two nurses, who have a...