VIJAYAWADA: Former Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy called off a planned visit to Tirupati temple Friday amid heightened tension and protests by several religious organisations which joined governing TDP in demanding that he sign a declaration form for non-Hindus. Jagan also claimed a police notice denying him permission for the visit, something CM N Chandrababu Naidu dismissed as a “blatant lie”.
The events unfolded against the backdrop of the controversy over supply of ghee allegedly adulterated with animal fat in making the sacred laddu prasadam at the temple when Jagan was CM.
The YSRCP chief was to reach Tirumala, where the hill shrine to Lord Venkateswara is located, Friday evening and offer prayers early Saturday. Jagan lashed out at Naidu and his allies for turning his temple visit into a “big controversy”. If Naidu-led “vested interests” could create hurdles for a former CM who visited the temple about 10 times in the past for darshan, what would be the fate of the poor and Dalits when they visit the temple, Jagan wondered.
Jagan also wanted to know why TDP and its allies did not seek any declaration from him when he accompanied the PM, President and the Chief Justice of India to the temple as CM. “Humanity is my religion. I am ready to give a declaration in this format. I read the Bible within the four walls of my residence. I practise and respect other religions, including Hinduism, once I come out. What else do they want?” he asked.
Jagan pointed out that his father, the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy, ex-CM, was blessed to present silk robes to Lord Venkateswara for five years.
Jagan claimed local police had issued notices to several former legislators and YSRCP leaders in the wake of his planned visit, saying he did not have permission to visit Tirumala.
Naidu challenged Jagan to show the notice and alleged the YSRCP chief cancelled his visit as he was not willing to sign the declaration form for devotees of other faiths.
Naidu said that law enforcement agencies had invoked laws restricting some activities in the area “in view of recent developments” but clarified that no specific notice was issued to Jagan.