Date:19/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/19/stories/2006071909030500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

BJP calls for fresh GO on Tirumala boundaries

Special Correspondent

Party leaders urge Government to discuss issue with heads of mutts

Government's claim that GO issued last September is similar to one issued by British termed "untenable"

Apology sought from TTD Executive Officer

HYDERABAD: The controversy over the demarcation of the Tirumala temple's boundaries refused to die down with the Bharatiya Janata Party demanding a fresh Government Order re-defining the borders of township by including at least 20 important pilgrim centres.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, State BJP vice-president S. V. Seshagiri Rao and secretary N. V. S. S. Prabhakar described as "untenable" the Government's claim that the GO issued in September last year, demarcating 27.5 sq.km as boundaries of Tirumala, was similar to the one issued by the British.

Consultation sought

They urged the Government to consult the heads of various mutts and peethams for redefining the boundaries in accordance with ancient texts. The GO would give scope for any kind of activity outside the specified boundaries, the BJP leaders maintained.

Many important teerthams (pilgrim centres) were not included in the boundaries demarcated during the British period. This should have been rectified after independence.

They demanded the removal of Dharma Reddy as TTD Special Officer and an apology from Executive Officer A. P. V. N. Sarma for his remarks that the concept of seven hills was only a "popular perception."

They said Mr. Sarma's comments were "highly objectionable" and pointed out that the `Venkateswara Suprabhatam' and other scriptures mentioned the seven hills. They said only Hindus should be appointed as vice-chancellors and principals of educational institutions run with TTD funds.