AP: Jagan's Tirumala visit may fuel tensions as NDA insists he declares his faith

Political tensions are likely to escalate in Andhra Pradesh as the ruling NDA insists that YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy should declare his faith before he enters the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala Hills on Saturday (September 28).

According to rules, foreigners and non-Hindus should declare their reverence for Lord Venkateswara to have a darshan of the presiding deity at the hill shrine.

Tirupati laddu row

Jagan had said he will visit the temple to offer prayers on Saturday as part of the state-wide temple rituals called for by his party to atone for the 'sin' allegedly committed by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu because of his shocking allegations on the Tirupati laddus.

Reddy's appeal comes days after Naidu alleged that the previous YSRCP government used substandard ingredients and animal fat for making the laddus at Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati.

The allegations sparked a massive controversy across the country.

Declare faith, says BJP

Responding to Reddy's announcement on the temple visit, the BJP's state unit on Thursday demanded he declare his faith before entering the hill shrine.

Andhra Pradesh BJP leader L Dinakar highlighted that Reddy has his constitutional right to follow the religion of his choice but called for respecting the rituals, customs, traditions, rules and regulations of other faiths.

"He is trying to enter into Hindu temples. He shall adhere to the systems and practices of Hindu temples, otherwise, he is ineligible to enter the Devasthanam (Tirumala temple)," Dinakar told PTI.

Further, Dinakar alleged that the Opposition leader should tender an apology for the alleged atrocities against temples during his regime and the utilisation of substandard ghee for making Tirupati laddu prasadam (consecrated food).

Non-Hindus must sign declaration

Earlier, AP BJP chief D Purandeswari had raked up the issue.

"We are given to understand that Jagan Mohan Reddy intends to visit Tirumala on the 28th of this month. The practice of declaring one's faith has been in vogue for decades in Tirumala." "As per G.O. MS NO- 311 of AP Revenue Endowments--1, Rule no 16, Non-Hindus must give a declaration at Vaikuntam queue complex before darshan in the faith form. This is also as per TTD general regulations Rule 136," Purandeswari had said in a post on 'X.'

Echoing Purandeswari, TDP spokesperson Jyoshna Tirunagari said Reddy will not be allowed to visit the deity if he does not sign the declaration that he has faith in Sri Venkateswara.

"Any non-Hindu who enters Tirumala has to sign the declaration at Vaikuntam complex and then only they (he or she) should go or else they should not enter Tirumala,” Tirunagari told PTI.

She highlighted that eminent personalities such as former President Abdul Kalam and ex-Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had also given that declaration, and alleged that the YSRCP chief is planning his visit to Tirumala to politicise the issue.

Further, the TDP leader observed that the declaration is mandatory and that nobody is above God.

No political processions

When contacted, Tirupati Superintendent of Police L Subbarayudu said that taking out processions and meetings have been prohibited in the district.

"We will strictly implement all police acts. Without prior permission there should not be any processions and meetings. We will take all the precautions," he told PTI.

He further said Section 30 of the Police Act which regulates public assemblies and processions is enforced and as of Thursday 5 PM no political party approached the law enforcement department seeking permission to conduct rallies. 

(With inputs from agencies)