Christianisation of Tirumala: Hindu orgns to intensify protest

Mangalore, July 17 (UNI) The protest against ''Christianisation of the famous temple towns of Tirumala-Tirupati,'' the abode of Lord Venkateshwara, in Andhra Pradesh, is gaining momentum with various Hindu organisations joining the bandwagon.

The Rashtriya Hindu Sena (RHS) and Sri Rama Sena have planned to stage a protest in the temple town of Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, on July 18 and burn the effigies of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajashekara Reddy.

Talking to newspersons here yesterday, RHS State President Pramaod Muthalik alleged that the famous and sacred temple town was being slowly converted into a christian hub.

He also informed that the RHS would organise ''Dattamala Abhiyan'' from October one to five and invitation had been extended to 108 pontiffs to participate on the final day of Abhiyan to be held at Dattapeeta in Chikmagalur. About 11,000 RHS activists would participate in the Abhiyan and demand for the installation of the statue Lord Dattatreya at the Dattapeeta, appointment of Hindu priests for conducting poojas and relocation of all Muslim tombs in the area.

Meanwhile, the ''Tirupati Ulisi Horata Samithi" of Udupi announced that it would be organising a rally in Udupi on July 29 demanding a curb on all conversion activities in Tirumala-Tirupati.

Samithi President Raghavendra Acharya said about 10,000 people were expected to participate in the protest meet.

Hindu Jagran Manch Chief Convener Jagadeesh Karanth and Vishwa Hindu Parishad State Organising Secretary Keshav Hegde, besides Swamijis from Asta (Eight) mutts in Udupi and leaders from various Hindu organisations would take part in the rally.

The protests would continue till a permanent solution was found by the Andhra Pradesh Government for checking conversions, he added.

UNI MA RG SKB1557