Vehicle With Non-Hindu Symbol Found on Tirumala Hill; Case Registered.

Representational Image.

Driver, Car Owner Found with Christian Religious Symbol on Tirumala booked.

B Upendran | HENB | Puttur | Nov 21, 2025::  A vehicle displaying a non-Hindu religious symbol was identified within the premises of the Tirumala Hill on Tuesday, raising concerns over compliance with the strict regulations that prohibit religious proselytization on the sacred site.

The vehicle, bearing registration number TN-31-AE-4073, entered through Lane 9 of the Alipiri checkpoint at around 10:40 a.m. According to officials, the mandatory inspection failed to detect the Christian symbol at the entry point. Check-post staffer at Alipiri was removed from duty for allowing the vehicle with sticker of an alien faith to motor up to Tirumala.

Swift Action by Vigilance Team

Upon receiving information, the TTD Vigilance wing traced the vehicle, removed the Christian sticker, and reported the incident to the Tirumala II Town Police Station. A case has been filed against the driver, identified as Gobi from Karur district, Tamil Nadu, and the vehicle owner under relevant sections of the AP Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions & Endowments Act, 1987.

TTD officials reaffirmed that the rules are in place to preserve the sacred atmosphere of the temple surroundings and emphasized that any violations will be strictly dealt with.

TTD Reiterates Zero-Tolerance Policy

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam reiterated its zero-tolerance stance toward any form of non-Hindu religious promotion on the hill shrine, which draws millions of devotees every year.

Recent Rule Violation by Staff

This incident follows another controversy earlier this month when two outsourced TTD employees were removed from service after a video surfaced on social media showing them allegedly consuming non-vegetarian food near Alipiri — a prohibited act within the hill’s proximity. Then a video widely shared on social media showed the staff eating meat on the steps leading to Tirumala.

A formal complaint regarding that incident was also lodged with the Tirumala Two Town Police Station, reinforcing the administration’s ongoing efforts to uphold the sanctity of one of India’s holiest Hindu pilgrimage destinations.

_Agency Inputs.