BJP Alleges Religious Conversion Attempt at TTD Shrine

Tirupati: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state spokesperson P. Bhanuprakash Reddy on Tuesday expressed outrage at the alleged attempted religious conversion at Skanda Pushkarini of Venugopala Swamy Temple in Karvetinagaram of Chittoor district on Monday. The temple is administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

Addressing media after visiting the Pushkarani to investigate on Tuesday, the BJP leader demanded that the TTD and police identify the pastors who tried to convert people and take appropriate legal action against them.

He suggested that penal action could be taken against the pastors as per GOs 746 and 747 for violating the sanctity of religious places. He demanded a comprehensive security audit of all TTD and Hindu shrines. Stringent security measures must be ensured, so that public order is not disrupted and communal harmony preserved.

Bhanuprakash Reddy said BJP has lodged a complaint with TTD executive officer A.V. Dharma Reddy in this regard. He underlined that the EO has assured them that legal action will be taken against those responsible for the attempted religious conversion at the devasthanam temple.

On the complaint by TTD officials, Karvetinagaram police have filed a case with Cr. No: 87/2023 on local church organisers. The complaint was that church officials had performed baptism to some persons at the Pushkarini of Venugopala Swamy temple on Monday. Police are currently investigating the case.