Endowments Minister C Ramachandraiah, on Thursday, came down heavily on YSR Congress Party president Jaganmohan Reddy for not signing the declaration of religious faith meant for non-Hindu devotees during his recent visit to the hill shrine in Tirumala.
Talking to media persons, Ramachandraiah said that devotees are required to visit the temple with a belief in Lord Venkateswara, and not to get political mileage by creating "unnecessary" controversies.
He said that it was mandatory for non-Hindu devotees to sign the declaration of faith in God before receving a darshan of Lord Venkateswara.
"Non-Hindu devotees who visit places of worship must follow the established traditions and practices before visiting them," he pointed out.
Ramchandraiah said that the administration has failed to initiate action on the violators of traditions and established norms of Hindu temples, due to the lack of a proper Act.
It may be mentioned here that Jaganmohan Reddy, a practising Christian, had sought the darshan of Lord Venkateswara on Wednesday, without signing the temple's mandatory declaration of religious faith meant for non-Hindu devotees. The blatant disregard of the temple's rules sparked off a furore in the state. Apparently, in response to the controversy, Jagan had reportedlly asked why he was not told to sign such a document when he visited the Tirumala shrine in 2009. (INN)
filed in:Religion, Tirumala, Temples, C Ramachandraiah