AP Brahmin Corporation Chairman Accuses YSRCP of Spreading Misinformation About Tirumala Temple

Andhra Pradesh Brahmin Corporation Chairman Bucchi Ramprasad has strongly condemned the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) for allegedly disseminating false information regarding the situation at the sacred Tirumala temple during the ongoing Vaikuntha Ekadasi festivities.

Speaking to reporters at the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) central office in Mangalagiri on Saturday, Ramprasad asserted that the current government has implemented comprehensive arrangements for the 10-day religious celebration to provide devotees with a seamless darshan experience.

“A dedicated committee has been formed to oversee all arrangements at Tirumala,” Ramprasad stated. “Ministers Anagani Satyaprasad and Vangalapudi Anitha have personally reviewed the preparations to ensure everything runs smoothly for the thousands of pilgrims visiting during this auspicious period.”

The Brahmin Corporation chairman specifically refuted reports circulated by media outlets affiliated with the YSRCP that claimed a stampede had occurred at the temple. He characterized these reports as “completely baseless” and emphasized that the atmosphere at the hill shrine remained peaceful and orderly throughout the festivities.

Turning his criticism toward the previous administration, Ramprasad alleged that the YSRCP government, which ruled Andhra Pradesh until recently, had engaged in “large-scale corruption” during its tenure and had treated the revered Tirumala temple merely as a “source of revenue” rather than a sacred site deserving proper management and respect.

The Tirumala temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, is one of India’s wealthiest and most visited religious institutions, attracting millions of devotees annually. The Vaikuntha Ekadasi celebration is considered particularly sacred, with pilgrims often waiting for hours or days to have darshan during this period.

Ramprasad demanded that former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy issue a formal apology for remarks that allegedly hurt devotees’ sentiments. While he did not specify which comments he was referring to, the statement comes amid ongoing political tensions between the TDP-led coalition government and the opposition YSRCP.

“Such disrespect toward one of our most sacred temples cannot be tolerated,” Ramprasad said. “Mr. Reddy must apologize to the devotees whose feelings have been hurt by his party’s actions and statements.”

The Brahmin Corporation chairman also called on the current government to implement strict measures against what he described as “fake social media campaigns” targeting the temple. He suggested that these campaigns were deliberately orchestrated to undermine public trust in the new administration’s management of religious affairs.

The allegations come amid a broader political contest between the TDP-led government and the YSRCP opposition, with both sides frequently trading accusations regarding governance, corruption, and religious matters.

The current Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP in coalition with allies, has made temple administration and protection of Hindu religious sites a key focus since taking office, positioning itself as a defender of traditional values and proper temple governance.

For its part, the YSRCP has not yet issued a formal response to Ramprasad’s allegations, though the ongoing exchange highlights how temple administration and religious sentiments continue to be significant factors in Andhra Pradesh’s political landscape.

Officials at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which administers the temple, have maintained that the Vaikuntha Ekadasi celebrations are proceeding as planned, with adequate security and crowd management measures in place for the hundreds of thousands of devotees expected during the festival period.