Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS/HB)

Bengaluru, Jan 26: Minister of religious endowments of Andhra Pradesh, Velampalli Srinivas Rao visited Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha of Bengaluru on Monday, January 25 and met Sri Vishwaprasanna Theertha Sreepada, seer of Pejawar Math.

Pejawar Swamiji had recently expressed concern over series of anti-Hindu acts, demolition of temples and idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses that are occurring in the state of Andhra Pradesh after visiting the affected places. In the wake of this, as per the instructions of chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, the minister met swamiji and discussed elaborately on the issue.

In his suggestion to the minister, Pejawar Swamiji said, "Let the reason for the dastardly incident be mischief of miscreants or political enmity or any other reason, there is a danger that it may turn into communal violence. Only accused in very few cases are apprehended so far. Serious investigation needs to be done on the rest of the cases also and the culprits should be punished as per the law. Care should be taken not hurt the sentiments of majority people in the state.

"Andhra Pradesh government itself has to rebuild the temples that have been destroyed now. No opportunity should be given for hooligans to carry out any anti-Hindu act in any of the temples. Documentation of the property belonging to the temples should be done and to be protected. As far as possible the maintenance responsibility of the temple should be given to locals."

In reply to the concern expressed by Swamiji, minister Srinivas Rao said, "The situation is under control at the moment. Action is taken to identify the culprits of all the cases. Strict legal action will taken against them. The government itself will repair the damaged temples. In future, no such attack should take place on any temple in the state. In case, if it happens also, GPS systems will be installed to identify the accused immediately."

The minister also requested Swamiji to contact the Andhra Pradesh government directly if he has any doubts in issues of this nature. He also appealed to the Swamiji to visit the temples after they are repaired.

Government officials, Vishwastha of Tirumala Tirupati temple and close aide of Swamiji D P Ananth were present.