Conspiracies To Desecrate Srisailam Temple: Raja Singh

BJP MLA T Raja Singh today alleged that deliberate conspiracies were underway to desecrate the revered Srisailam temple, located in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district.

He claimed that during the tenure of the Y S Rajasekhar Reddy government numerous shops within the temple premises were allocated to Muslims. This had prompted several Hindu organisations to approach the courts, resulting in a stay order against the government's decision.

However, the activities continued, and on Saturday when certain Siva Swamis inquired about the rationale behind allotting shops to Muslims, the local police responded with a lathi charge against them, Singh alleged.

He expressed concern that with lakhs of devotees planning to visit Srisailam for Maha Sivaratri, a conspiracy was afoot to tarnish the temple's sanctity. He also accused a local leader and the temple's Executive Officer (EO) of supporting Muslim shopkeepers, and issued a stern warning to the EO and the police officials against any future assaults on Siva Swamis, and said that any further harassment would prompt Siva devotees from both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to converge on Srisailam in protest.

He also appealed to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to ensure that shops operated by people of other religions were not permitted near Hindu temples, and cited court directives supporting this stance.

However, Srisailam MLA Silpa Chakrapani Reddy refuted claims that Muslims were monopolising temple contracts and shops. He offered to resign if such accusations were proven, labeling them as "baseless, malicious, mischievous", and intended to incite communal discord.

Reddy claimed that Muslims had been residing in the temple town for generations, and that legal proceedings regarding their presence were pending before the Supreme Court.

The Srisailam temple, a significant Jyotirlinga and Sakti Peetha, continues to be a place of cultural and religious importance. The recent allegations have reignited discussions about the management and sanctity of the temple premises.