It appears that the N Chandrababu Naidu government in Andhra Pradesh is viewing the extension of temple honours to opposition leaders through a political lens and treating it as a violation.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has issued show-cause notices to three temple priests for allegedly extending religious honours to YSR Congress Party president and former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy without prior authorization.
The incident took place on Tuesday during Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit to Pulivendula.
Senior priests A. Shravan Kumar and Veena Manoj Kumar from the Ontimitta Kodandarama temple, along with K. Parthasarathy, a staff member of the Venkateswara Swamy temple in Boyinapalli village of Rajampet mandal, visited the former Chief Minister’s residence.
According to TTD officials, the priests did not obtain the mandatory prior permission from the temple administration.
During the visit, they presented Sesha Vastram (sacred cloth), Ramulori Thomala, and Mutyala Talambraalu, and offered Vedic blessings.
Describing the act as a serious violation of protocol, TTD authorities initiated disciplinary proceedings.
Ontimitta temple Deputy Executive Officer A. Prashanthi issued formal notices on Wednesday, directing the priests to submit their explanations within two days.
The notices state that failure to respond within the stipulated time, or providing an unsatisfactory explanation, would invite strict disciplinary action.