Apparently realising that a series of incidents of vandalism in temples and desecration of idols is snowballing into a major controversy triggering unrest among the Hindus, YSR Congress party president and chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy appears to be looking up to spiritual gurus close to him to bail his government out of this mess.
As per Jagan’s directions, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) trust board chairman Y V Subba Reddy came down to Vijayawada on Tuesday and held discussions with Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swamy at his ashram at Sitanagaram to find a solution to this crisis.
He is learnt to have requested Chinna Jeeyar Swamy to take the lead and pacify the Hindus so as to prevent a mass uprising, while the government would take all measures to track down the culprits and arrest them.
Following the discussions with Subba Reddy, Chinna Jeeyar Swamy held a press conference at his ashram and announced that he would be touring Andhra Pradesh from January 17 in the wake of a series of alleged attacks on temples in the state.
He told reporters that he would visit all the temples which were vandalised in the recent past and talk to various sections of people to prevent further attacks on the temples.
“I will also meet all the religious elders to find out a solution to such blasphemous acts. Never in the past did the Hindu dharma face such an unprecedented crisis in the state,” he said.
Chinna Jeeyar Swamy said he would discuss short-term and long-term measures for protection of the temples with the cooperation of locals and temple officials.
“I will make efforts to awaken the spirituality among the people and enlighten them on the need to protect the temples from destruction and desecration,” he said.
