 |
||
|
||
|
||
Author:
Publication: Crsadewatch.org
Date: July 3, 2006
URL: http://www.crusadewatch.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=424&Itemid=90
Christian Evangelism in Tirumala Tirupathi: Newspaper coverage
Bus No. AP11 Z 1130 belonging to RTC left
Tirumala at 5.30 P.M. on Sunday 9.4.06 for Tirupathi. One Balaraju boarded
the bus along with three others. They carried a handbag full of Christian
Literature and started distributing the same to the passengers. The passengers
objected to the distribution of Christian Pamphlets. Among those who objected
was one Mr. Aravind a resident of Parimala Apartments of Kothapet, Hyderabad.
( Andhra Jyothi 10 April, 2006)
Christian Evangelism in Tirumala Tirupathi: Newspaper coverage
1. Bus No. AP11 Z 1130 belonging to RTC left Tirumala at 5.30 P.M. on Sunday 9.4.06 for Tirupathi. One Balaraju boarded the bus along with three others. They carried a handbag full of Christian Literature and started distributing the same to the passengers. The passengers objected to the distribution of Christian Pamphlets. Among those who objected was one Mr. Aravind a resident of Parimala Apartments of Kothapet, Hyderabad. ( Andhra Jyothi 10 April, 2006)
2. Christian Propaganda in S.V.University Students confront the Pastor: on 11th April 2006 students belonging to TNSF and ABVP students unions obstructed the Christian carrying on propaganda within University campus. The enraged students vehemently opposed pastor Devasahayam and his cohorts. For the past two years a student in mate of room no. 126 of University Hostel E-Block has been conducting Christian gatherings by inviting priests. He is inducing some students to join the meetings. Offended by this unbecoming action, other students demanded the instigator to stop the activity. On Tuesday (12 th) the Christian propagandist came to conduct meeting as usual. Students confronted him and told him to stop evangelism. Hot expelled exchanges took place and the students expelled the intruder. (Andhra Jyothi 12 April, 2006)
3. Search for Christians in TTD Employees Quarters : Christians residing in Tirumala are under surveillance. They were asked to leave Tirumala. As per the rules of TTD, Non-Hindus are barred from taking part in the work of Tirumala Temple or other Hindu religious programmes. Non-Hindus cannot be employed in Tirumala Temple establishment. Further as per the rules conduction non-Hindu religious propaganda or programmes in Tirumala will be considered an offence. In view of this, the TTD Officials have started identifying those employees who converted themselves to other religious after taking up job with TTD and such persons are mooted to be moved away from Tirumala. So far the officials identified some 20 non-Hindus staying in TTD employees quarters. ( Andhra Bhoomi 15 April, 2006)
4. Sleepy Vigilance& TTD top brass displeased on Christian propaganda in Tirumala : Higher Officials of TTD feel that the failure of vigilance department led to the recent spurt in Christian propaganda in Tirumala. It came to their notice that some TTD employees converted to Christianity under various allurements played host to the evangelist activities. As such they are investigating the details of employee converts. Devasthanam Executive Officer Mr. Narayana Sarma and special officer Mr. Dharma Reddy are reviewing the situation that to the Christian activities in Tirumala. ( Andhra Jyothi 11 April, 2006)
5. Another bunt of Christian propaganda :
A fresh round of Christian propaganda led to thence situation in Tirupathi.
Christian evangelist swarmed on different institutions belonging to SV University,
Padmavathi women's University and other TTD run colleges on Thursday conducting
aggressive propaganda. Reacting to this
predatory activity students and general public confronted the evangelists
under the leadership of Ramesh Naidu, the ABVP National Executive Committee
member. As a result tense situation prevailed at various colleges. Nearly
30 women and 10 males were going round colleges to conduct Christian propaganda
right inside college premises. They specially chose EAMCET exam centers to
conduct their propaganda. (Eenadu&&.. 5 May,2006)
6. Christian propaganda by TTD's AEO A devotee Complains to EO : "The TTD is one of the largest religious institution in the world. A top official such a famous institution, like the AEO is resorting to Christian religious propaganda" complains a Hindu devotee named Ramana hailing from punganur to the EO of TTD Mr. APVN Sarma. Ramana made the complaint while participating in the "Dial you EO" programme conducted by the Television. He complained that Mr. Jayaram, AEO of TTD is propagating Christian religion." A person in high rank in TTD working against TTD pains me" says Ramana. (Vaartha& 6 May, 2006)
7. Ropeway proposal cleared by TTD : The proposal of constructing a ropeway from Alipiri to Tirumala Hills to facilitate tourist is cleared by the TTD Board. The Board allocated two acres of land to the Tourism Department constructing the Agama advisory committee. Thus way is cleared for the Ropeway. (Eenadu Daily)
8. Govt. covets Balaji's wealth attempts afoot to divert Rs.500 crore : The Government is eying the huge funds of Lord Venkateswara to finance its popularly schemes. It is trying to divert Rs. 500 crore of TTD funds to deposit in Irrigation Bonds. In the past Government passed some statutes to prevent such diversion of TTD funds. The present Government seeks to change those statutes. The Government proposes to change the name of "Hindu Religious Endowment" to "Religious Endowment" to remove hurdles to its proposed diversion of TTD funds. ( Eenadu Daily)
9. Surveillance on non-Hindu religious propaganda on Tirumla surroundings E.O. : The EO of TTD Mr. APVN Sarma said that as per rule 196 of TTD Act, no other religious propaganda is allowed within 10.33 Sq miles area of the Kshetram. As per rule 197, those who reside in Tirumala Kshetram and those who work for TTD must be Hindus by religion, he said. (Vaartha& 12 April, 2006)
Note : The total area covered by the seven hills collectively called Tirumala are Seshachala, Vedachala, Garudachala, Anjanachala, Vrushabhachala, Narayanachala, Venkatachala, is about 100 Sq.miles (250sq.kms). whereas the Rural Development Department of Panchayatraj's prohibits non-Hindu religious propaganda only in that area. Why so?
Christian activity at other Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh
1. Anti Hindu propaganda on Simhachalam Villagers Oppose : Religious conversion is carried on surreptitiously on Simhachalam Temple vicinity. Some persons belonging to a foreign religion have been conduction evangelism among the tribal area of Simhachalam and other localities for four days a week. They are carrying religious conversions not only among the tribals but also among the devotees visiting the Simhachalam Temple. (Andhra Jyothi&. 9 May,2006)
2. Anti Hindu Posters in Bhadrachalam Ramalyam : The Temple authorities are perturbed to find posters propagating are (non-Hindu) religion within the Rama Temple premises. On the festival occasion of Hanumat Jayanthi, devotees gathered in huge numbers found these obnoxious posters and informed the temple authorities. (EEnadu)
|
||
|
||
|
||