IANS
 
Hyderabad, June 08: The Andhra Pradesh government has issued an ordinance prohibiting propagation of all religions except Hinduism at the famous Hindu temple on Tirumala hills near Tirupati.

The ordinance also declared the seven hills surrounding the Lord Venkateshwara temple as a place of worship and banned the conduct of local body elections.

Chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy made the announcement at a news conference here on Friday.

The ordinance, signed by Governor Rameswar Thakur May 22, was issued following criticism by Hindu religious heads over propagation of other religions on Tirumala hills.

The ordinance, which makes it clear that all seven hills form part of the temple, sets at rest controversy over the area.

The ordinance also covered 19 other places of worships in the state and prohibited the propagation of other religions in these places.

Reddy said the move was aimed at ensuring that sentiments of religious groups were not hurt and public order at such places of worship was not disturbed.

He said a legislation replacing the ordinance would be introduced in the next assembly session.

The state cabinet had in April decided to promulgate the ordinance after taking strong note of evangelical activity around the famous hill shrine.

Anybody found violating the provisions of the ordinance will be sentenced to three years of imprisonment or imposed a fine of Rs.5,000 or both.