The controversy in the wake of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy’s recent Tirumala seems to have refused to die down. A person has approached the High Court against his visit to Lord Balaji’s temple and offering of customary clothes to him.
This was followed by curious arguments that took place in the High Court of Andhra Pradesh on the religion of Chief Minister Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy. The petitioner has touted that Reddy is a Christian, while the court has said that his name is a Hindu name.
The court has asked the petitioner to prove that the CM is a Christian so that it would be able to take up his petition on the issue of violation during the entry into the TTD Tirumala temple.
The High Court did not accept the argument made by the petitioner. The judge said that since the name of the CM was sounding like a Hindu name, it would not be possible to proceed further without first confirming the true religion of Jagan Mohan Reddy. The court postponed the hearing for 22 October.
The petitioner asked the court to order action against the Board and officials of the TTD for not making CM Jagan submit a ‘faith declaration’ before entering the Tirumala Temple during Brahmotsavams (annual festival).
When the petitioner asked the court to seek clarification from Jagan Reddy on his religion, the judge said that it would not ask from its side and it was for the petitioner to submit the proof of the CM’s religion.
The High Court asked the petitioner why the CM should show proof of his religion when somebody files petitions in the courts. The onus of proof is on the petitioner only. The Court ordered the petitioner not to take this issue to TV debates.
The petitioner’s lawyer told the court that only the Hindu devotees can have entry into Sri Lord Balaji temple without faith declaration. A non-Hindu should have to submit a declaration saying that he was entering the temple since he has faith in Lord Venkateswara Swamy. Ministers such as Kodali Nani said that there was no need for taking such declarations which violated the endowments act rule 136 and 137.
