AP HC hears arguments against VIP dharshan in TTD

Hyderabad: The Division Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court presided over by Acting Chief Justice C Praveen Kumar and Justice M Satyanarayana Murthy heard public interest litigation filed against the grant of VIP break darshan by the TTD at Tirumala.

Petitioner J Venkata Subba Rao approached the High Court against the practice, alleging discrimination on the basis of position an individual held in the society.

Advocate Umesh Chandra PVG appearing for the petitioner submitted to the court that L1, L2 and L3 VIP darshan by TTD militated against a slew of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India.

The advocate also submitted that as TTD doesn't come under the ambit of RTI access to information pertaining to VIP darshan has become next to impossible.

The advocate also informed the bench that different modes of worship of deity is allowed for different categories with L1 securing the highest privilege.

He submitted to the court that this militated against right to equality and right to worship which is inherent in right to freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution of India.

After hearing the arguments at length, the bench asked the advocate to submit more documentary evidence especially case laws to substantiate his standpoint.

The bench has posted the matter for further hearing to next Tuesday.