Protest against conversions

Posted March 5, 2007


March 5 2007
New Indian Express
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MYSORE: Members of Tirupati Tirumala Samiti will stage a symbolic hunger strike at the Ramaswamy Circle on March 6, as part of the State-wide protests to pressurise the Central and Andhra Pradesh governments to curb proselytisation in Tirupati town.

Samiti secretary and ex MLA A Ramadas told a press conference, that the strike was organised to create awareness among public on conversion.

The fact-finding committee headed by former justice Bhikshapathi has found that of the total 322 sq km land, only 27 sq kms was in the possession of the temple. Out of a total Rs 700 crore income of the temple, barely Rs 42 crore is being utilised for the requirements of the temple, he said.

Alleging that conversion was rampant in AP after Rajashekhar Reddy assumed office, Ramdas said that the CM, was supporting religious conversion. A slaughter house has been constructed near the DR Mahal theatre. Money from the temple was given to construct a mosque, he added. He opposed the government's move to convert the temple into a tourist spot.

He urged the government to declare all seven hills as the property of the temple, dismiss the non-Hindu employees, utilise the money collected by the temple only for Hindu religious ceremonies, curb religious conversion and cancel ropeway construction .Alleging, that no measures were put in place despite assurances, he warned to launch a statewide protest if the demands are not met.