TTD chief condemns Udhayanidhi's sanatana remarks

Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy on Tuesday condemned the controversial remarks of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's son and DMK minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, comparing Sanatana Dharma with infectious diseases like coronavirus, malaria and dengue fever.

Addressing a press conference after the maiden meeting of the newly constituted TTD trust board, Karunakar Reddy expressed his strong disagreement with Udhayanidhi's comments.

“Sanatana Dharma is not a caste but a way of life. The TN minister attributing caste to Sanatana Dharma is both inaccurate and potentially divisive,” he underlined.

The TTD chief cautioned against such misrepresentations, warning that they could lead to unrest in society. "The remarks were not good for anyone, including those who made them", he remarked.

In response to what he called a "malicious campaign" against Hindu Sanatana Dharma, Karunakar Reddy announced a series of initiatives aimed at promoting devotion among the youth and disseminating the principles of Hindu Sanatana Dharma. The first step in this direction is TTD Trust Board's decision to provide a special "break darshan" to family members of a devotee who completes the task of writing the name "Govinda" 10,01,116 times, similar to the popular practice of writing Lord Ram's name one crore times (Rama-Koti).

Additionally, TTD will launch a programme to distribute books containing the essence of the Bhagavad Gita among students of LK to PG in AP.

The TTD trust also passed resolutions aimed at enhancing facilities for devotees. It allocated ₹600 crore for construction of two massive pilgrim amenities complexes – Achyutham and Sripatham – in Tirupati, which will accommodate nearly 20,000 devotees. It has approved ₹6.5 crore for construction and establishment of a temple, along with an information centre, at Bandra in Mumbai.

₹49.5 crore have been allotted for renovation of the TTD employees' staff quarters in Tirupati. ₹33 crore will be invested in developing infrastructure at the proposed housing sites for employees near Vadamalapet.

The board resolved to offer financial assistance, including interest-free loan, to Municipal Corporation of Tirupati for installation of a 1,100-mm diameter MS pipeline from MD Puttur to Mangalam Pumping Station. This project also involves upgrading the pumping machinery. The pipeline will supply 20 MLD of water to TTD-run hospitals in Tirupati.

Additionally, the board decided to extend financial support to the Tirupati civic body for installation of a 600-mm diameter DWC pipeline running from SVIMS to Panchamukha Anjaneya Swamy temple via Town Club.
TTD executive officer A.V. Dharma Reddy, board members and other officials were present.