Tirupati MP Seeks Action Over Tirumala Security Lapses
An inquiry commission was announced but its report had not been made public even after a year, reflecting official negligence: YSRC leader Maddila Gurumurthy
NELLORE: Tirupati MP and YSRC leader Maddila Gurumurthy on Saturday alleged that the coalition government had shown little commitment to ensuring temple security and proper administration, particularly at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
Addressing the media, Gurumurthy accused the government of harassing TTD officials and running a smear campaign against opposition leaders since coming to power, claiming that temple administration had gone off track.
Referring to the Vaikuntha Ekadasi stampede in which several devotees lost their lives, the MP said an inquiry commission was announced but its report had not been made public even after a year, reflecting official negligence.
He expressed concern over repeated security lapses in Tirumala and Tirupati, alleging that no corrective measures had been taken. Gurumurthy said YSRCP MPs, acting on the directions of party president and former chief minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, had written to the Centre highlighting these issues.
He said the Union home minister’s office had reportedly sought an explanation from the state chief secretary, but no response had been received so far.
The MP cited a recent incident in which an allegedly intoxicated person climbed the Govindaraja Swamy temple gopuram at midnight and attempted to damage the sacred kalasam. He blamed the proliferation of belt shops and the sale of spurious liquor for such incidents.
Demanding strict action against those responsible, Gurumurthy said the YSRC was calling for immediate and strong measures to prevent recurrence and ensure robust temple security.
