Anantapur: In a controversial action, Srisailam Executive Officer S Lavanna during his Shiva Deeksha, touched the feet of AP minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy for his blessings at Srisailam on Monday.
This happened when the minister along with his family arrived at Srisailam for darshan of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy. The temple authorities led by the EO and priests offered a traditional welcome to the minister at the main entrance.
Lavanna touched the feet of the minister seeking his blessings. The video went viral on social media and many devotees and organisations criticised the EO’s action, also as he was in Shiva deeksha while the minister was not.
The executive officer tried to put garland on the minister but the minister refused to accept it. The EO touched the feet of Ramachandra Reddy for his blessings at the entrance into the temple.
Lavanna clarified that the minister and himself were from the same village and the minister was his Guru Swamy for the Ayyappa deeksha. ”The minister took Ayyappa deeksha 76 times. I touched his feet as a respect to my guru,” he said.
