Divergent views on probe into TTD jewels

Tirupati: Divergent views were expressed on the vociferous demand for a probe on Tirumala temple jewellery at a round-table conference held on the ‘Growing intolerance in Tirupati and Tirumala’ here on Wednesday. While some observed that there is absolutely no need for any probe as TTD was a well-established system ensuring safety and security of the Lord’s precious ornaments. 

While others opined that a high-level enquiry is must to dispel the doubts on the safety of the jewels. Rayalaseema Adhyayana Samithi (RAS) founder Bhuman said that even at the time of Muslim rulers control and later under Britishers administration there is no interference into the temple affairs and the jewels were intact. He felt that Tirumala temple former chief priest Ramana Deekshithulu’s allegations were baseless and he is acting on behalf some vested interests. 

Rayalaseema Intellectual Forum (RIF) convener M  Purushottam Reddy and senior journalist A Raghva Sharma stressed on a probe for the
verification of the vast number of jewels to dispel doubts on their safety and also get concrete proposal to set up a permanent and transparent security arrangements for the jewels safe custody to put an end to the present controversy over Tirumala temple jewels.

The round-table conference was held under the aegis of Annamayya Kalakshetram Srivari Bhakthula Sangham based here. It’s president Pulimamidi Yadagiri fervently appealed for a restraint on the part of political parties, TTD employees’ associations and also media to uphold the image of TTD and the sanctity of Tirumala temple.

He said a section of media had blown the priest issue out of proportion and also gave undue importance to the allegations most of them are baseless. As TTD unlike other temple institutions is a major Hindu religious institution involved in social and religious services on a large scale benefitting the society in a big way and drawing huge devotees from world over, everyone should think twice before criticising it so as not to hurt the sentiments of the devotees. CITU district general secretary K Murali, CPI leader C Penchalaiah and others also spoke.