SHRI TIRUPATHI TEMPLE

Christian Evangelism in Thirumala Tirupati

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The recent events that took place in Tirumala Tirupathi are
disheartening to every Hindu.

It is stunning to find that nearly 50 Christian families are settled
on Tirumala hill and no less than 20 persons of Christianity are
employed in TT devastanam. These families conducted Christmas prayers
on the Tirumala Hill, which goes to prove the complacency of the TTD
Board. These Christian elements are audacious enough to distribute
Christian pamphlets to devotees going to Tirupathi Temple.

The Vice-Chancellor, Dean and other functionaries of Padmavati
University are believing Christians and they are forcing the students
to participate in Christian Prayers, taking them to Church in vehicles
owned by the University, conducting Christian religious propaganda in
SV University Hostels, distributing Christian literature in
educational institutions are some of the Christian activities that
deeply perturb Hindu community.

Added to this sad state of affairs is the latest move by the
authorities recognizing Tirumala as a township with the temple
jurisdiction restricted to 27.5 sq.km. This move it is widely believed
that this step is meant to make way for construction of Church(es?) on
Tirumala hills. Above events lend evidence to this belief. Otherwise
what is the reason to reduce the sacred seven hills area of 243 sq.km
to 27.5 sq. km? They're drastically reducing the jurisdiction of
Devastanams. Reducing the Lord Venkateswara's seven hills to two hills
is an affront to religious sentiments of Hindus.

The offerings made by devotees in Lord Balaji's Hundi should be used
only for Hindu religion, spiritual activities. With that object in
view the Hindu Dharma Prachara Samstha was started in the year 1968.
But later in the year 1982 the word Hindu was removed from its name
changing it to Dharma Prachara Parishat. The motive behind the change
in name is to divert the huge funds offered by the devotees to Lord
Sri Venkateswara as token of their religious devotion to populist
Government schemes.

As a part of that move Rs. 500 crores worth of Hundi money is ought to
be diverted in the name of "Irrigation Bonds". Going the way Govt.
misutilization of public funds. How the religious funds are going to
be spent in any one's guess. Thus to divert the money offered by
devotees with specific religious motives to non-religious purpose is
clear case of subversion of Hindu religion.

Let us all wake up before it is too late. Let us resolve to fight out
to protect the sanctity and property of sacred Tirumala Tirupati
Kshetram through all possible democratic means. Let us resolve to
denote all our mite and might in this regard.


* * *
The Andhra Pradesh government has systematically started converting
the holy Tirupathi temple by encroaching into its management. First
the Holy laddus distribution was given to GRG Wealth Management owned
by a Shri G B Mathew Syrian Christian. Out of Seven Holy Hills only
Two have been declared as Holy to facilitate for obvious reasons The
Govt. has named a Christian as vice chancellor of Padmavathi
University which runs on the donations received at Tirumala.Presently
all photos of Shri Venkateswara and Shri Padmavathi are being replaced
by that of Jesus. Handbills are being distributed to the devotees
visiting the sacred Hills by Christian Missionaries. Bible is freely
distributed in schools nearby. Dr. K.M Cherian Heart Foundation of
Chennai which is infamous for it's conversion activities have been
tied up into Telemedicine agreement by Sri Venkateswara Institute.

* * *
"Evangelism and conversions (yes, some of the officials even in the
rank of Asst Executive Officers have been converted) that is taking
place in TTD and in Tirumala, under the direction of YSR and his
christist coterie? From the kind of information that is slowly coming
to me, my worst fears that TTD would be the next target for the
christist minions after they induced Jaya to attack Swami Jayendra
seems to be coming true".
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Hindu society is holding its head high with self-respect because of
people like you practicing sadachara. Even so the attacks mounted by
other religions on Hinduism are repeated day after day. This is most
painful to note.

The recent events that took place in Tirumala Tirupathi are
disheartening to every Hindu. It is stunning to find that nearly 50
Christian families are settled on Tirumala hill and no less than 20
persons of Christianity are employed in TT devastanam.

These families conducted Christmas prayers on the Tirumala Hill, which
goes to prove the complacency of the TTD Board. These Christian
elements are audacious enough to distribute Christian pamphlets to
devotees going to Tirupathi Temple. What is the Devastanam's vigilance
department doing? Such brazen acts on the part of Christians makes one
suspect that these people are willy-nilly supported by the TTD Board.

Added to this sad state of affairs is the latest move by the
authorities recognizing Tirumala as a township with the temple
jurisdiction restricted to 27.5 sq.km. This move it is widely believed
that this step is meant to make way for construction of Church(es?) on
Tirumala hills. Above events lend evidence to this belief. Otherwise
what is the reason to reduce the sacred seven hills area of 243 to
27.5 sq. km? They're drastically reducing the jurisdiction of
Devastanams. Reducing the Lord Venkateswara's seven hills to two hills
is an affront to religious sentiments of Hindus.

The Vice-Chancellor, Dean and other functionaries of Padmavati
University are believing Christians and they are forcing the students
to participate in Christian Prayers, taking them to Church in vehicles
owned by the University, conducting Christian religious propaganda in
SV University Hostels, distributing Christian literature in
educational institutions are some of the Christian activities that
deeply perturb Hindu community.

The offerings made by devotees in Lord Balaji's Hundi should be used
only for Hindu religion, spiritual activities. With that object in
view the Hindu Dharma Prachara Samstha was started in the year 1968.
But later in the year 1982 the word Hindu was removed from its name
changing it to Dharma Prachara Parishat. The motive behind the change
in name is to divert the huge funds offered by the devotees to Lord
Sri Venkateswara as token of their religious devotion to populist
Government schemes.

As a part of that move Rs. 500 crores worth of Hundi money is ought to
be diverted in the name of "Irrigation Bonds". Going the way Govt.
misutilization of public funds. How the religious funds are going to
be spent in any one's guess. Thus to divert the money offered by
devotees with specific religious motives to non-religious purpose is
clear case of subversion of Hindu religion.

Tirumala is the most sacred place. To convert it into a tourist,
recreational center as the Govt. is planning, is the sure way to
ultimately make it in to a pleasure resort. This is reprehensible.

If the sacred Tirumala Temple Township is degraded in this fashion,
where is the place left for Hinduism? What is the fate of Hindu
Society?

Let us all wake up before it is too late. Let us resolve to fight out
to protect the sanctity and property of sacred TT Kshetram through all
possible democratic means. Let us resolve to denote all our mite and
might in this regard.

Some Evidence from Telugu News Papers

1. Bus No. AP11 Z 1130 belonging to RTC left Tirumala at 5.30 P.M. on
Sunday 9.4.06 for Tirupathi. One Balaraju boarded the bus along with
three others. They carried a handbag full of Christian Literature and
started distributing the same to the passengers. The passengers
objected to the distribution of Christian Pamphlets. Among those who
objected was one Mr. Aravind a resident of Parimala Apartments of
Kothapet, Hyderabad. (Andhra Jyothi – 10 April, 2006)

2. Christian Propaganda in S.V.University – Students confront the Pastor:

On 11th April 2006 students belonging to TNSF and ABVP students unions
obstructed the Christian carrying on propaganda within University
campus. The enraged students vehemently opposed pastor Devasahayam and
his cohorts. For the past two years a student in mate of room no. 126
of University Hostel E-Block has been conducting Christian gatherings
by inviting priests. He is inducing some students to join the
meetings. Offended by this unbecoming action, other students demanded
the instigator to stop the activity. On Tuesday (12 th) the Christian
propagandist came to conduct meeting as usual. Students confronted him
and told him to stop evangelism. Hot expelled exchanges took place and
the students expelled the intruder. (Andhra Jyothi – 12 April, 2006)

3. Search for Christians in TTD Employees Quarters:

Christians residing in Tirumala are under surveillance. They were
asked to leave Tirumala. As per the rules of TTD, Non-Hindus are
barred from taking part in the work of Tirumala Temple or other Hindu
religious programmes. Non-Hindus cannot be employed in Tirumala Temple
establishment. Further as per the rules conduction non-Hindu religious
propaganda or programmes in Tirumala will be considered an offence. In
view of this, the TTD Officials have started identifying those
employees who converted themselves to other religious after taking up
job with TTD and such persons are mooted to be moved away from
Tirumala. So far the officials identified some 20 non-Hindus staying
in TTD employees quarters. (Andhra Bhoomi – 15 April, 2006)

4. Sleepy Vigilance… TTD top brass displeased on Christian propaganda
in Tirumala:

Higher Officials of TTD feel that the failure of vigilance department
led to the recent spurt in Christian propaganda in Tirumala. It came
to their notice that some TTD employees converted to Christianity
under various allurements played host to the evangelist activities. As
such they are investigating the details of employee converts.
Devasthanam Executive Officer Mr. Narayana Sarma and special officer
Mr. Dharma Reddy are reviewing the situation that to the Christian
activities in Tirumala. ( Andhra Jyothi – 11 April, 2006)

5. Another bunt of Christian propaganda:

A fresh round of Christian propaganda led to thence situation in
Tirupathi. Christian evangelist swarmed on different institutions
belonging to SV University, Padmavathi women's University and other
TTD run colleges on Thursday conducting aggressive propaganda.
Reacting to this predatory activity students and general public
confronted the evangelists under the leadership of Ramesh Naidu, the
ABVP National Executive Committee member. As a result tense situation
prevailed at various colleges. Nearly 30 women and 10 males were going
round colleges to conduct Christian propaganda right inside college
premises. They specially chose EAMCET exam centers to conduct their
propaganda. (Eenadu…….. 5 May,2006)

6. Christian propaganda by TTD's AEO – A devotee Complains to EO:

"The TTD is one of the largest religious institution in the world. A
top official such a famous institution, like the AEO is resorting to
Christian religious propaganda" – complains a Hindu devotee named
Ramana hailing from punganur to the EO of TTD Mr. APVN Sarma. Ramana
made the complaint while participating in the "Dial you EO" programme
conducted by the Television. He complained that Mr. Jayaram, AEO of
TTD is propagating Christian religion." A person in high rank in TTD
working against TTD pains me" says Ramana. (Vaartha… 6 May, 2006)

7. Ropeway proposal cleared by TTD:

The proposal of constructing a ropeway from Alipiri to Tirumala Hills
to facilitate tourist is cleared by the TTD Board. The Board allocated
two acres of land to the Tourism Department constructing the Agama
advisory committee. Thus way is cleared for the Ropeway. (Eenadu
Daily)

8. Govt. covets Balaji's wealth – attempts afoot to divert Rs. 500 crore:

The Government is eying the huge funds of Lord Venkateswara to finance
its popularly schemes. It is trying to divert Rs. 500 crore of TTD
funds to deposit in Irrigation Bonds. In the past Government passed
some statutes to prevent such diversion of TTD funds. The present
Government seeks to change those statutes. The Government proposes to
change the name of "Hindu Religious Endowment" to "Religious
Endowment" to remove hurdles to its proposed diversion of TTD funds.
(Eenadu Daily)

9. Surveillance on non-Hindu religious propaganda on Tirumla
surroundings – E.O.:

The EO of TTD Mr. APVN Sarma said that as per rule 196 of TTD Act, no
other religious propaganda is allowed within 10.33 Sq miles area of
the Kshetram. As per rule 197, those who reside in Tirumala Kshetram
and those who work for TTD must be Hindus by religion, he said.
(Vaartha… 12 April, 2006)

Note : The total area covered by the seven hills collectively called
Tirumala are Seshachala, Vedachala, Garudachala, Anjanachala,
Vrushabhachala, Narayanachala, Venkatachala, is about 100 Sq.miles
(250sq.kms ). whereas the Rural Development Department of
Panchayatraj's prohibits non-Hindu religious propaganda only in that
area. Why so?

1. Anti Hindu propaganda on Simhachalam – Villagers Oppose: Religious
conversion is carried on surreptitiously on Simhachalam Temple
vicinity. Some persons belonging to a foreign religion have been
conduction evangelism among the tribal area of Simhachalam and other
localities for four days a week. They are carrying religious
conversions not only among the tribals but also among the devotees
visiting the Simhachalam Temple. (Andhra Jyothi…. 9 May, 2006)

2. Anti Hindu Posters in Bhadrachalam Ramalyam: The Temple authorities
are perturbed to find posters propagating are (non-Hindu) religion
within the Rama Temple premises. On the festival occasion of Hanumat
Jayanthi, devotees gathered in huge numbers found these obnoxious
posters and informed the temple authorities.