Samiti postpones stir against proselytisation in Tirumala

Bangalore, July 24 (UNI) The Tirupati-Tirumala Samarakshana Samiti, which had threatened to launch an agitation from August nine against the alleged incidents of proselytisation in Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateshwara, has decided to defer it following assurances by Andhra Pradesh Endowment Minister J C Diwakar Reddy.

The Samiti, supported by various Hindu pontiffs in South India and led by Udupi Pejawar Mutt seer Sri Vishwesha Thirtha Swamiji, had decided to launch an agitation in the South against alleged conversion acts on the hills of Tirumala.

Speaking to reporters here today, the Pejawar Swamiji said the Samiti had deferred its agitation plans as the Minister, Endowment Commissioner Dinesh Kumar, Chief Administrator of Tirumala and other officials, at a high-level meeting held on Friday, accepted to implement the demands put forth by the Samiti.

The demands included bringing the seven hills surrounding Tirumala under TTD administration, putting an end to religious activities other than that of Hindus, building educational institutions and hospitals in and around Tirumala and Tirupati, appointing Hindus only in Tirumala temple and allocating funds collected in Tirumala temple only for social service and improvement of Hindu temples.

''The Minister said the Andhra Pradesh Government was in full agreement of the demands raised by the religious heads and the Samiti and all steps would be taken to implement it. People from many parts of the world are making calls, expressing concern over the recent developments. This shows the level of anxiety among the people. We are satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and believe that the Andhra Pradesh Government will act in the right direction,'' he said.

The pontiff said the Samiti was not against any religion, but was against missionaries propagating their religion in a major Hindu religious place.

''We have to draw a 'line of control' between the religions to ensure peace and tranquillity in the nation. It is not wrong to propagate a religion, but it should happen in one's own circle.

Conversion of people who are in distress, like those suffering with trauma or those with diseases in hospitals is not ethical,'' he felt.

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