Probe into Non-Hindu Religious Propaganda in Tirumala

Tirupati: Allegations of non-Hindu religious propaganda in Tirumala have sparked concern, prompting the Vigilance and Security Department of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams to launch an investigation.

Reports said some hawkers in the Papavinasanam area tried to promote non-Hindu religious beliefs. They recorded reels featuring songs related to their faith and circulated them. Suspicion arose that these videos were filmed within the holy precincts of Tirumala.

The Vigilance team and the local police are examining these videos to verify their authenticity and determine if there was any breach of Tirumala’s rules prohibiting non-Hindu religious activities.

Sources say some individuals from other faiths were present in the Papavinasanam area. They may have received some assistance from local forest officials to indulge in objectionable activities.

The TTD Vigilance wing has arrested hawkers -- Veera Raghavan Sankaramma and Meenakshi -- who are suspected to have created reels featuring non-Hindu religious songs. They have been taken to Tirupati for questioning.

Efforts are on to identify other individuals involved, after TTD lodged a complaint at the Tirumala 2-Town police station.