Chief Minister of State not required to sign declaration of faith for entering into Tirupati Temple in his official capacity, on invitation of Trust Board

Chief Minister of State of A.P., despite being a non-Hindu, can enter into Temple in his official capacity on invitation of Trust Board, without submitting declaration of faith as required by law.

The Chief Minister went to the temple to present silk robes as a tradition during conduct of the Brahmotsavams in the capacity of the Chief Minister and also as a public representative. There was no need for him to sign a declaration of faith, which might otherwise be required for visits to the temple. Stand would be different in case of the Chief Minister being a non-Hindu and intending to visit the temple in his individual capacity to take darshan and offer prayers. If so, he was expected to sign the declaration as per the existing norms.

Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams temples are Hindu public temples and they are generally used as of right only by the Hindu community. But, if any non- Hindu intends for admission into the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams, there can be no objection for admission if the non -Hindu presents a declaration by disclosing his/her original religion and declaring his/her faith in Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy. There is a practice existing in the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams that Chief Minister of State offers "Dharmanaralu" and "Pattu Vastralu" during important occasions like Brahmotsavam.

The Trust Board of Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams temples invited the Chief Minister of the State to offer presentation of "Pattu Vastralu" during the celebrations of "Brahmotsavam". It is the tradition prevailing all these years that whoever may be the Chief Minister, he ought to follow that practice. If a person holding the post of Chief Minister is a non-Hindu and enters into the Temple on invitation of the Trust Board, he enters, in the capacity of the Chief Minister, as a representative of the people of the State, and as such, he need not submit a declaration of faith. If he enters in his personal capacity for Darshan or to offer prayers to Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy, he has to submit the declaration.

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