Suspicions and controversies about the management of the Tirumala temple have dominated the campaigns ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh. | Photo Credit: File photo
The year 2024 saw the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the governing body of the Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala, beset by several controversies.
TTD, which is among the richest temple boards in the world, was caught in a tangle of political rivalries in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, where the then-ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Opposition were using election-related issues. temple administration performance during their campaigns. Allegations and counter-allegations dominated the narrative.
A controversial issue that dominated the election campaigns was the embezzlement of SriVani Trust which earns around Rs 570 crore every year through the sale of darshan tickets.
Although allegations of devaluation were later dismissed as misleading, the damage caused is believed to be one of the factors that contributed to the downfall of the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government.
Allegations of poor quality food served to devotees as part of the Nitya Annadanam program and compromising temple norms have added fuel to the fire.
After the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) returned to power, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu vowed to restore the sanctity of TTD, promising to ‘cleanse the entire administration’ and protect the sentiments of the devotees.
However, the image of TTD was tarnished due to allegations related to the use of ghee mixed with animal fat in making laddus and other prasadams.
Allegations made by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu sparked outrage across the country, forcing the Supreme Court to set up a special investigation team (SIT) comprising the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Andhra Pradesh police and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of. of India (FSSAI) will investigate the matter.
The move temporarily halted a government-led investigation, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations.
Meanwhile, the TTD banned AR Dairy Food Private Limited, the defendant who supplies ghee, and performs purification rituals inside the hill temple. ‘Shanti Homam is also performed as an act of reconciliation, assuaging the concerns of the devotees.
TTD has faced yet another setback with allegations of corruption in the awarding of engineering contracts, involving the payment of millions of rands. Public outrage led the State government to send a team of 200 investigators, although their findings are yet to be revealed.
Stop the row
Adding to the woes of the institution is the resurgence of an old case of stealing the Parakamani (temple treasury). The scandal, which allegedly involved gangs taken from the Hundi temple, resurfaced after TDP MLC B. Ramgopal Reddy demanded an inquiry and Union Minister Bandi Sanjay and TTD board member G. Bhanuprakash Reddy wanted a detailed investigation.
However, the tumultuous 2024 also brought an important milestone for TTD. For the first time, the temple’s annual budget has crossed Rs 5,000 crore, indicating its growing financial strength.
Silver lining
The institution has also played an important role in the religious events of the country and sent one lakh laddus to Ayodhya for the consecration of the Ram temple.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has expressed willingness to help TTD in the restoration of ancient structures in Tirumala and Tirupati.
On the administrative side, TTD allocated housing plots to more than 6,000 workers, increased the wages of 9,750 contract and outsourced workers, and introduced methods to streamline darshan lines, including exploring the feasibility of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in providing -quick darshan for devotees.
Published – December 29, 2024 05:16 am IST
Source link