Another political controversy has erupted in Andhra Pradesh involving the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.
Controversy erupted when TTD chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy reportedly said there is no need for the chief minister to sign a declaration to prove his faith in Lord Venkateswara.
Andhra Pradesh CM Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy is scheduled to visit the shrine on 23 September to present silks to Lord Venkateswara Swamy on behalf of the state government.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu and the BJP are now saying that traditions of the temple should not be changed for a “non-believer”, referring to Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Of late, TTD Chairman YV Subba Reddy allegedly said nonHindus need not sign faith declaration in Lord Balaji Temple of Tirupati. Later, he rolled back his words and clarified that he had never suggested withdrawal of the declaration by non-Hindus seeking Lord Balaji’s Darsan about their faith. He again said that Tirumala witnesses thousands of pilgrims from across the world who have faith and belief in Sri Venkateswara Swamy. During normal days, over 80,000 to one lakh pilgrims visit the temple and it is impossible to seek declaration.
Andhra Pradesh Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs minister Kodali Nani said, “YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, being the Chief Minister of the state, has a right to pay a visit to any place of worship irrespective of the religion. The declaration norm should be revoked. When the late YS Rajasekhar Reddy visited Tirupati as an MP and an MLA, at that time, Chandrababu Naidu did not ask for a declaration. YS Jagan Mohan Reddy visited the temple before and after the Padayatra and then too, Chandrababu Naidu did not ask for a declaration. What is the need for the Chief Minister to declare his faith?”
The Minister earlier said that he went to churches, mosques as a politician but no one asked him to declare his religion then. The BJP state unit president Somu Veerraju demanded an apology from Minister Kodali Nani. However, Nani reiterated his words before the media.
There has been a rule from 1990 that Non-Hindus should sign a faith declaration before entering Lord Balaji Temple of Tirupati.
BJP leader Lanka Dinakar condemned incidents of attacks on idols of Hindu gods and goddesses. He also criticized the “controversial comments” of YV Subba Reddy in which he reportedly said that no declaration is required for entering into Tirumala Darshan for other religions.
“It is an attack on sentiments of crores of Hindus across the world,” the BJP leader said. “Minister Kodali Venkateswara Rao hurt the sentiments of the crores of Hindu devotees,” he alleged.
“Till now non-Hindu religious propaganda has been going on around the Tirumala and now most likely, TTD Chairman YV Subbareddy seems to be authorised inside the temple by allowing non-Hindus without the declaration as per the existing rules of the TTD, which hurts the sentiments of the devotees and are against the practices of Tirumala Tirupati Traditions and Customs,” the BJP leader remarked.
MP Subramanian Swamy came in support of TTD Chairman Subba Reddy. Swamy in his tweet said, “The declaration of being a Hindu needed for TTD darshan as being withdrawn, is false. The media-driven Chandrababu Naidu falsely “quoted” the TTD Chairman. He said unless they are identified by somebody TTD cannot ask every Bhakta. Is CBN (Naidu) rattled by the forthcoming CAG probe?