TTD refutes Bhumana's allegations on temple practices
Tirupati: Reacting sharply to allegations made by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) former chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy on Friday, the TTD issued a firm denial, stating that his accusations were completely false and lacked any factual basis.
In a strongly worded statement, the TTD condemned Karunakar Reddy;s remarks, terming them as an unjustified attempt to tarnish the reputation of the revered religious institution.
Addressing allegations related to Vedic traditions, the TTD clarified that far from diminishing the role of Vedic recitation in the temple, the institution has, over the past year, taken multiple steps to enhance and stabilise these practices. 'It is completely untrue to say that there is any attempt to undermine generations of Vedic recitation,' the statement read. The TTD highlighted that the divine chant 'Om Namo Venkatesaya' has been prominently broadcast across the temple premises, including footpaths, queue lines, and service areas.
Countering claims that temple priests were not being treated with respect, the TTD reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of priests and Vedic students, stating that several initiatives were underway to enhance their physical and mental wellbeing.
Responding to accusations about notices issued to various religious mutts in Tirumala, the TTD clarified that such actions were purely in line with court directives. Specific notices were served only to those institutions, including Visakha Sharada Peetham, that had encroached upon land beyond their allotted areas.
The TTD further pointed to reforms undertaken over the past year aimed at streamlining darshan services and enhancing the pilgrim experience. These included scientific queue management, the addition of 22 food counters, and the distribution of free Annaprasadam, beverages, and snacks. Notably, the institution is also working towards implementing Artificial Intelligence-based darshan management systems.
On the issue of transparency, especially following the 2023 Parakamani scandal, the TTD emphasised that a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) and an armoured security system were now in place to restore trust. Under this everyone entering Parakamani will have to undergo security checks and thorough scrutiny.
'With over 90 per cent of devotees expressing satisfaction through multiple feedback channels, it is inappropriate for a former Chairman to level false charges,' the TTD said, urging public figures to verify facts before making allegations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
Any terror attack on Indian soil will prove heavy on Pak; Operation Sindoor ‘not over': Rajnath Singh
Udhampur (J&K), Jun 21 (PTI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday warned Pakistan that any future terror attack on Indian soil will have serious consequences on the country as Operation Sindoor is not over yet and India is ready to take any action against the menace. Addressing troops of Udhampur-based northern command here after joining them on the occasion of International Yoga Day, the defence minister said Operation Sindoor conveyed a message to Pakistan that their 'thousand cut' policy against India is not going to succeed.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
UN watchdog warns of ‘serious' nuclear disaster if Israel strikes Iran's Bushehr reactor
The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog has issued a grave warning about the potential for a nuclear disaster in the Middle East if Israel targets Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant. Satellite image shows the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, in Bushehr Province, Iran(Planet Labs PBC/Reuters) While no radioactive release has yet been detected as of now, an attack on Bushehr could have 'catastrophic consequences,' Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Friday, reported AFP. 'Countries of the region have reached out directly to me over the past few hours to express their concerns, and I want to make it absolutely and completely clear — in case of an attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant, a direct hit would result in a very high release of radioactivity,' Grossi cautioned. Follow Iran Israel war live updates. The conflict, which started on June 13 after Israel's surprise attack, has escalated rapidly. Tel Aviv have targeted Iran's nuclear and military sites, top generals, and scientists. Also Read | Israel warns of 'prolonged war' with Iran as conflict enters ninth day; Donald Trump says Iran only wants US talks At least 657 people — including 263 civilians — have been killed in Iran and more than 2,000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights organization. In retaliation, Iran has launched 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli military estimates. At least 24 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Israel. What will happen if Iran's Bushehr reactor is attacked Bushehr, located in southern Iran, is the Middle East's first civilian nuclear reactor and holds thousands of kilograms of nuclear material, said IAEA chief. An attack, or even damage to the power supply lines feeding the reactor, could trigger a meltdown with wide-reaching consequences, he added. 'In a worst case scenario,' he said, 'evacuations and orders to take shelter would need to be issued for areas within several hundred kilometers of Bushehr,' covering parts of the Gulf Arab monarchies, which is a vital region for global oil trade. Also Read | Flight carrying 290 Indian students from Iran lands in Delhi, two more expected later today Populations would also need to consume iodine to combat radiation exposure and could face restrictions on food supplies. Grossi also warned that even attacks short of direct hits — such as on electric lines — could disable the cooling systems and lead to a meltdown. 'This is the nuclear site in Iran where the consequences could be most serious,' he said. Netanyahu vows to 'destroy Iran's nuclear programme' The fear regarding a potential nuclear disaster is on the rise as Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the campaign against Iran's nuclear program. 'We will fight as long as necessary to destroy Iran's nuclear program,' he declared, calling it an 'existential danger.' Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. However, Tehran remains the only non-nuclear-weapon state enriching uranium up to 60% — a level just short of weapons-grade. This continues to alarm both Israel and Western powers. US President Donald Trump had earlier issued a stern warning to Tehran, demanding a complete halt to its uranium enrichment program. Trump gave Iran a two-week ultimatum to comply, warning that failure to do so could lead to direct US involvement in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, after a phone call with Netanyahu, said Israel has assured him that Russian personnel working at the Bushehr plant would not be harmed. Moscow has long had a strategic stake in Iran's nuclear energy infrastructure. IAEA confirms damage to Arak reactor site While Bushehr has not yet been targeted, Israel's airstrikes have hit other nuclear sites, including the Natanz enrichment facility, centrifuge workshops near Tehran, labs in Isfahan, and the Arak heavy water reactor. Grossi reiterated his earlier position that such sites must not be considered military targets. The IAEA reported on Friday that key buildings at the Arak site had sustained damage, including the distillation unit. Although the reactor was non-operational and contained no nuclear material, the agency noted the incident with concern. (With AFP, AP inputs)
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Any terror attack on Indian soil will prove heavy on Pakistan; Operation Sindoor 'not over': Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday (June 21, 2025) warned Pakistan that any future terror attack on Indian soil will have serious consequences on the country as Operation Sindoor is not over yet and India is ready to take any action against the menace. Addressing troops of Udhampur-based northern command after joining them on the occasion of International Yoga Day, the Defence Minister said Operation Sindoor conveyed a message to Pakistan that their "thousand cut" policy against India is not going to succeed. 'Operation Sindoor is not over yet... through this operation, we have told Pakistan that continuing terrorism against India will not be tolerated and the response will get from bad to worse,' Mr. Singh, flanked by Army chief Upendra Dwivedi, said. Under Operation Sindoor, Indian Armed forces struck terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during the intervening night of May 6 and 7 in retaliation to Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 persons, mostly tourists, dead on April 22. 'Operation Sindoor was a natural progression of 2016 surgical strike and 2019 air strike [across the border]. We conveyed to Pakistan that its policy of thousand cuts against India will not succeed. 'Any terror attack on the soil of India will prove disastrous for Pakistan. India is ready to take any type of action against terrorism,' Mr. Singh said.
