With the video footage on evangelism at Tirumala going viral, members of the Tirumala Tirupati Samkrakshana Samiti (TTSS) staged a demonstration here on Thursday to “free Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, from proselytisation activities by a Christian organisation”.
Samiti Prakasam district secretary T. Hariprasada Rao, who led the protest in front of the Prakasam Bhavan here, saw an international conspiracy behind the Christian missionary putting posting objectionable video content on YouTube, thus hurting the sentiments of millions of Hindus in the country and abroad.
The Samiti members, who were joined by Sangh Parivar activists, including BJP State committee member Bathina Narasimha Rao, submitted a memorandum to the State government through Prakasam District Collector G.S.R.K.R.Vijaykumar to stop proselytisation activities in the holy hills.
In Nellore, BJP State general secretary S. Suresh Reddy led a huge procession along with TTSS Nellore district president C.V. Subramaniam from the Gandhi Bomma centre to the Collectorate, demanding immediate steps to prevent propaganda by other religions at Tirumala, “which is akin to the Vatican for Hindus”.
Leaders, cutting across religious lines, should condemn in once voice the video footage, they said.
Special Correspondent writes from Rajahmundry: TTSS staged dharna in front of the Rajahmundry Sub-Collector’s office on Thursday, condemning the footage. Addressing the dharna, TTSS convener Karri Srinivas, VHP leader Ch. Satyanarayana and ABVP organizing secretary Manikanta said it was highly deplorable that an evangelist dared to reach the main gate of the sacred temple of Lord Venkateswara and held prayers and also made derogatory comments. They alleged it is completely negligence, connivance and security lapse of TTD officials and staff. Mr. Srinivas said that they will take up the agitation involving all the Hindu peetadhipatis, swamijis and other Hindu organizations to protect all the temples in the state. Mr. Satyanarayana and Mr. Manikanta demanded that Pastor Sudheer, Brother Sukumar and Brother Joseph who are behind the entire episode should be brought to the book and punished immediately.
