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Author: NT Bureau
Publication: News Today
Date: April 11, 2006
URL: http://www.newstodaynet.com/11apr/rf7.htm
Conversion campaign by Christian youths at Tirumala
Reports, which were thick in the air for a long time, that a vested group of Christian zealots were operating at the sacred Hills of Tirumala, has proved to be true and is snowballing into a major political controvery with the BJP launching an agitation over it after four youths involved in conversion activities were caught yesterday.
The BJP leaders staged a strong protest and a dharna in front of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams TTDs Administrative Building on Monday and raised slogans against A P Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekar Reddy for letting communal forces at the sacred hills.
According to G Bhanu Prakash Reddy, General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morch BJYM, ever since Rajasekhar Reddy took the reigns of the state, forcible conversions into Christianity in the State has increased in general and in particular Christian organisations are making all efforts to spread Cristianity at Tirumala Hills, the abode of Lord Venkateswara.
It may be significant to note here that on Sunday, devotees coming from Tirumala Hills in APSRTC bus objected to four youngsters who distributed pamphlets propagating Christianity.
The youths, who were raising pro-Christianity slogans, had a serious altercation with the devotees.
Some of the 'hurt' devotees took them to the TTD's Vigilance authorities and complained about their campaign programme in Tirumala Hills. Later, the devotees also lodged a complaint before TTD's Executive Officer A P V Narayana Sharma.
The authorities, however, without initiating any probe or action, let the youths go free. Against this backdrop, BJP leaders staged strong protest in front of TTDs' Administrative Building demanding stern action.
Most devotees the attempts at conversion was not only hurting the sentiments of Hindus but also was an insult to the entire Hindu community.
There are also reports that permission has been granted to construct a church at Tirumal. The government has denied it. But the reports have failed to die down.
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