BJP protests non-Hindu pilgrimage ads on bus tickets in Tirupati
Bus tickets carrying advertisements of Jerusalem yatra and Haj pilgrimage issued to devotees proceeding to the famous Lord Venkateswara temple at nearby Tirumala triggered a protest by the BJP here on Friday (August 23) against the state-run transport corporation.
As a controversy broke out over the issue, Endowment Minister Vellampalli Srinivas said that the tickets were not meant for Tirupati and an inquiry has been ordered.
The BJP workers raised slogans and staged a sit-in at the office of the Regional Manager of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC). Later, they submitted a letter seeking a detailed probe into the matter and sought stringent action against those involved in the distribution of the tickets.
Before election, YSRCP slogan was 'Kavali Jagan,Ravali Jagan', ('Andhra needs Jagan, wants Jagan' )
But Now, Is this their new Slogan- Ravali Jesus, Kavali Jesus?
Promoting one particular religion on bus ticket to Tirupati is highly objectionable.
This must come to an end. pic.twitter.com/8NBjneobuD— BJP ANDHRA PRADESH (@BJP4Andhra) August 23, 2019
Reacting to the issue, Srinivas said that the tickets meant for Nellore in the state were printed during the previous TDP regime for promotion of pilgrimage of other religions under a government-sponsored scheme.
A probe was ordered into the issue, he said in a press release, adding that those responsible would be identified and punished.
BJP State Secretary G Bhanu Prakash Reddy said that it was not good on the part of APSRTC to issue bus tickets carrying advertisements of other religions to the visiting devotees of Lord Venkateswara here and sought a detailed probe.
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) on Jerusalem Ads On Tirupati Bus Tickets: Tickets withdrawn duly taking sentiments of the devotees. An enquiry has been ordered to probe into this matter&to elicit further information & to avoid recurrence of such incidents pic.twitter.com/G11Bib4G7D
— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2019
In Telangana, BJP’s lone MLA Raja Singh condemned the issuance of the tickets and urged Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy to take action against those responsible.
“As per rules, any campaign about non-Hindu religions cannot be done at a revered place like Tirupati. I ask Jagan Mohan Reddy ji to take action against those who committed
this,” a report from Hyderabad quoted him as having said in a video message.
The over 2,000 year-old Lord Venkateswara shrine in Tirumala is a major pilgrim centre for Hindus and draws lakhs of devotees throughout the year from across the country and abroad. The APSRTC alone operates buses to Tirumala from Tirupati.
