The hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala witnessed an unusually heavy influx of VVIPs and dignitaries on Tuesday night, coinciding with the auspicious eve of Vaikunta Ekadasi.
Apart from thousands of ordinary devotees, a large number of judges, elected representatives, senior officials, film personalities and sportspersons arrived at the temple to pass through the Vaikunta Dwara and have the darshan.
However, a section of social media users began crying out loud after leaders from the YCP visited the temple.
These netizens started criticizing TTD and questioning why YCP leaders were given the privilege of special darshans when they are not in power. This line of thinking is unreasonable and unrealistic.
The point to be noted is that not only politicians, but film actors and industrialists from across the nation have also come and availed special darshans.
Political leaders, regardless of party affiliation, are also devotees and have the same right to seek blessings and also utilize VIP or any other special darshans when they can get them.
The frustration of these netizens seems to stem from personal jealousy rather than genuine concern. Most of them do not receive recommendations or special access for darshan.
Even their preferred parties like TDP or Jana Sena would not help them get VIP darshan. Seeing rival leaders enjoy special entry clearly burns them from within, and that psychological discomfort is being vented online.
What makes the situation even more concerning is TTD responding to such criticism.
Why should a respected temple administration feel the need to clarify itself to baseless social media outrage? Is TTD afraid that silence would be misinterpreted by TDP supporters?
TTD explained that YCP leaders came with recommendations from their own party leaders who are in power as MPs and MLAs, as per their quota. This explanation appears unnecessary and, frankly, silly.
Faith should rise above politics, and institutions like TTD should not be dragged into petty online battles driven by personal insecurity and political hatred.