In yet another controversy involving the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), a three-page reference to Jesus Christ was found in a book uploaded under the ‘e-books’ category onto its official website.
The lapse went viral on social media on Monday, forcing the TTD to issue a clarification.
At a media conference in the evening, TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal promised to ensure every book is verified before it is uploaded onto the official website.
It is a practice in vogue for decades in the temple management to extend grant-in-aid for publication of religious and literary books, and in 2002, the TTD extended the same for the book in question titled ‘Bhakti Geetamruta Lahari.’ It was uploaded onto the TTD website in 2015.
Specific guidelines
The TTD commenced the financial aid to the authors scheme in May 1979 with specific guidelines. As per the norms, an expert committee with scholars proficient in their respective languages scrutinises the first 16 pages of any book before giving the nod for financial aid to the author. After this process, the TTD extends 50% financial aid to the author, who will have to give 50 books to the former, to be sold under its banner.
“At that time, the expert committee comprising stalwarts checked the book written by Mande Chinna Sitaramaiah. On noticing the controversial matter published on pages 182, 183 and 184, we have immediately deleted the book from our website,” Mr. Singhal explained.
The TTD has also decided to delete from its website thousands of e-books published under the finance-in-aid scheme. They will uploaded again only after thorough re-verification. The norms and guidelines for such grant will also be revised to ensure such controversies do not recur.
