RPS demands Tirumala as no-fly zone for sanctity

TIRUPATI: Rayalaseema Porata Samithi (RPS) on Friday demanded that Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) take immediate steps to declare Tirumala as a no-fly zone for preserving the sanctity of Lord Venkateswara’s Temple and respecting the sentiments of millions of Hindus.

Addressing media, RPS convener P. Naveen Kumar Reddy expressed concern over sightings of flights and drones in the past few days above Tirumala Srivari Shrine. He said this has caused emotional distress among devotees. Filing a mere case against those responsible for the drone camera incident is insufficient. It has only served the purpose of suppressing the matter, he maintained.

Naveen Kumar pointed out that TTD’s previous attempts to persuade central government to declare Tirumala as a no-flying zone had been unsuccessful. He called on the board and its officials to immediately visit Delhi, meet the civil aviation minister and other officials and emphasise upon them the importance of safeguarding the sanctity of Tirumala temple and the sentiments of millions of Hindus.

The RPS convener underlined that central ministers frequently visit Tirumala for the Lord’s darshan. He suggested that local BJP leaders too should mediate with union ministers in Delhi and halt air traffic over the Srivari Temple.