INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Andhra Pradesh is bearing witness to yet another political controversy involving the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, one of the world's
richest Hindu places of worship.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
The statements come ahead of CM Reddy's visit to the temple managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board.In an indirect snipe
at CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, a former chief minister himself, Naidu said, "The long-established traditions at TTD should not be changed for the
sake of a non-believer."Earlier, the TTD Board decided not to insist on the 'traditional declaration' from the chief minister ahead of his
visit to present silken robes to Lord Venkateswara atop the shrine.There have been several instances in the past wherein non-Hindu
politicians visited the shrine to Tirumala and were granted darshan without signing a declaration form as per the TTD Board's
rules.Controversy erupted this time around when TTD chairman, who is also CM Jagan Mohan Reddy's uncle, said there is no need for the chief
minister to sign a declaration to prove his faith in Lord Venkateswara
Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is scheduled to visit the shrine on September 23 to present silks to Lord Venkateswara Swamy on
behalf of the state government.BJP, TDP take aim at YS Jagan Mohan Reddy govt"Any religion is nothing but the faith and trust that believers
place in their God and in the Dharma that follows with it
The TTD has been following this spirit by insisting on non-Hindus to express their faith in the Lord if they want to have Darshan or take
part in ceremonies at the Seven Hills," Chandrababu Naidu said in a tweet.The TDP chief went on to say that if such a spiritual breach is
allowed, "it would bring evil upon the land and its people".On the other hand, the BJP too alleged the Andhra Pradesh government is
"intentionally violating Agamashastra to hurt Hindu community sentiments".Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, general secretary of the BJP's state unit
said, "It is really unnecessary to hurt religious sentiments of Hindus
The government should think upon what it is doing, it is forgetting that the Tirumala is one of the largest holy places for Hindu pilgrims
By allowing other people of other religions without declaration is nothing but a conspiracy to dishonour Hindu dharma and Hindu
sentiments."TTD Board chairman respondsResponding to the allegations, TTD Board chairman YV Subba Reddy issued a clarification saying he
never suggested or indicated a withdrawal of declaration by non-Hindus seeking Srivari darshan about their faith and belief in Sri
Venkateshwara."During normal days, over 80 thousand - 1 lakh pilgrims visit Tirumala for Srivari Darshan
Among them, people of other faiths also pay a visit to seek the blessings of Supreme Lord Venkateswara
And it is humanely impossible to compulsorily seek a declaration of faith and belief from all the pilgrims," YV Subba Reddy said.The
chairman also clarified that neither Sonia Gandhi nor late Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy had ever given such a declaration during their visits to
the temple.'Declaration of religion for non-Hindus'Rule 136 of the TTD Board's guidelines state that only Hindus are allowed to go for
Non-Hindus who wish to have darshan of Lord Venkateswara will have to inform TTD Board about their religion and have to declare the same in
a form as per their conscience only as mentioned in Rule 137.The rules go on to say that according to the memo issued by the Government of
India in 2014, if anyone is identified openly as non-Hindu (based on his or her name like Isaiah, Sardar Singh, Ahamad, etc.), then the TTD
authorities shall ask them for declaration.
