YSRCP chief YS Jagan cancels Tirupati trip following demands to declare his faith before visiting the temple
Opposition YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy confirmed that his visit to the hill shrine has been cancelled, (Image: X)
Tirupati: The flashpoint built by AP’s ruling alliance parties Telugu Desam, Jana Sena and BJP in Tirupati and Tirumala ahead of former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit to Tirumala on Friday fizzled out after the latter cancelled his programme.
Jagan’s visit of Tirumala had been part of a series of temple rituals being performed by opposition YSRC, aimed at countering Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s statement that the previous YSRC government used substandard ingredients, including ghee containing animal fat, in making of the famed Tirumala Srivari Laddu, a sacred offering at the temple.
Ahead of the former CM’s announced visit to Tirumala, ruling parties TD, JS and BJP, demanded that Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is a Christian, publicly declare his faith before entering the Tirumala Temple.
Officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) set up boards at key locations around the hill top temple, reminding non-Hindu devotees of the requirement to declare their faith and reverence for Lord Venkateswara before entering the Vaikuntam Q complex.
According to the temple's customs, non-Hindus must affirm their reverence for Lord Venkateswara before gaining entry.
The AP Chief Minister issued a public statement urging all devotees to strictly adhere to the ancient customs and traditions of the Tirumala temple and follow TTD’s guidelines.
State’s ruling NDA leaders announced that they will block the former chief minister’s arrival at the Alipiri footpath, the starting point for the traditional trek to Tirumala.
Realising the potential for unrest, Tirupati police invoked Section 30 of the Police Act to maintain law and order in the temple city.
On Friday morning, TD, JS and BJP leaders held a meeting and decided to peacefully protest against Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit at Alipiri by holding placards, calling on the former CM to sign the TTD declaration.
However, the entire build-up fizzled out with Jagan cancelling his visit hours before his expected arrival.
Opposition YSRC has accused police of acting under political pressure from Chandrababu Naidu and Minister Nara Lokesh. The party alleged that police had issued notices to several YSRC leaders, warning them against being part of Jagan’s visit to Tirumala. The opposition party charged that some of its leaders had even been placed under house arrest.
YSRC claimed that up to 10,000 of its leaders and activists had been ready to welcome Jagan Mohan Reddy on his arrival at Tirumala.
Jagan’s visit of Tirumala had been part of a series of temple rituals being performed by opposition YSRC, aimed at countering Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s statement that the previous YSRC government used substandard ingredients, including ghee containing animal fat, in making of the famed Tirumala Srivari Laddu, a sacred offering at the temple.
Ahead of the former CM’s announced visit to Tirumala, ruling parties TD, JS and BJP, demanded that Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is a Christian, publicly declare his faith before entering the Tirumala Temple.
Officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) set up boards at key locations around the hill top temple, reminding non-Hindu devotees of the requirement to declare their faith and reverence for Lord Venkateswara before entering the Vaikuntam Q complex.
According to the temple's customs, non-Hindus must affirm their reverence for Lord Venkateswara before gaining entry.
The AP Chief Minister issued a public statement urging all devotees to strictly adhere to the ancient customs and traditions of the Tirumala temple and follow TTD’s guidelines.
State’s ruling NDA leaders announced that they will block the former chief minister’s arrival at the Alipiri footpath, the starting point for the traditional trek to Tirumala.
Realising the potential for unrest, Tirupati police invoked Section 30 of the Police Act to maintain law and order in the temple city.
On Friday morning, TD, JS and BJP leaders held a meeting and decided to peacefully protest against Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit at Alipiri by holding placards, calling on the former CM to sign the TTD declaration.
However, the entire build-up fizzled out with Jagan cancelling his visit hours before his expected arrival.
Opposition YSRC has accused police of acting under political pressure from Chandrababu Naidu and Minister Nara Lokesh. The party alleged that police had issued notices to several YSRC leaders, warning them against being part of Jagan’s visit to Tirumala. The opposition party charged that some of its leaders had even been placed under house arrest.
YSRC claimed that up to 10,000 of its leaders and activists had been ready to welcome Jagan Mohan Reddy on his arrival at Tirumala.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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