by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore
Mysore, Mar 6: The Sangh Parivar activists this morning launched 'Save Tirupati' campaign with a dharna at Ramaswamy Circle here under the banner Tirumala Tirupati Samrakshana Samithi (Tirumala Tirupati Protection Committee) protesting against the alleged activities of Christian Missionaries in the famous Tirumala Tirupati shrine.
The dharna, which began at 10 am, will conclude at 4 pm.
Inaugurating the campaign, senior advocate M.A. Sampath Iyengar alleged that the Christian Missionaries were trying to disturb the atmosphere of Sanatana Dharma.
Stating that Hindus revere Tirupati as Christians revere Vatican, Sampath Iyengar called upon the Hindus to launch a united struggle to protect Tirupati shrine against 'Christianisation'.
The activists including women, who are participating in the dharna, belong to BJP, Viswa Hindu Parishat and Bhajrang Dal.
Former MLA A. Ramdas, advocate C.V. Keshavamurthy, City BJP President B.P. Manjunath, District BJP General Secretary Mallappagowda, M.V. Ramaprasad of Yuva Morcha, Swamy, Prasad and Raghu of Bhajrang Dal, Chamundeswari BJP President Srinivas and former Corporator Chandrashekhar were among about 70 activists who participated in the dharna.
Ramdas said that similar dharnas are being staged at all the district headquarters in the State.
"This is the first phase of our agitation. We will intensify this if the Union Government and Andhra Pradesh Government ignored our demands to end missionary activities and attempts to curb the religious importance of the shrine," Ramdas warned.
Ramdas alleged that the AP Government has declared only 27 sq. mts as the property of the Tirumala Tirupati Temple, though the seven hills of the pilgrim centre have an area of 322 sq. kms. The Government, in the name of developing tourism, is permitting bars and restaurants in the remaining 295 sq kms which was declared as belonging to the Forest Department.
He urged the AP Government to restore the entire land to the temple management.
He also alleged that out of the Rs. 700 cr. hundi income of Tirumala Tirupati Temple only Rs. 42 cr. is being used for the development of the Temple and the rest goes to help the missionaries.
Ramdas accused Andhra Pradesh Government of helping the Christian missionaries to destroy Hinduism by appointing a converted Christian Veena Nobel Das as the Vice-Chancellor of Padmavati University violating the norms.
The new Vice-Chancellor had got removed the portrait of Lord Venkateshwara and Padmavathi from the classrooms and offices of the University.