*Temple security collapses under Coalition rule*

Tadepalli, July 23: YSRCP leaders launched a scathing attack on the NDA coalition government, stating that Hindu temples, sacred shrines and devotees have been left without protection under its rule. Addressing the media at the YSRCP Central Office in Tadepalli, former Minister Vellampalli Srinivas and former MLA Malladi Vishnu said the theft of the Sri Anjaneya Swamy idol, revered as the Kshetrapalaka of Tirumala, from the TTD Ghat Road is a glaring example of the complete breakdown of security and governance in TTD. They demanded the immediate resignation of TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu, holding him responsible for the repeated administrative failures.

The leaders said Tirumala has witnessed an unprecedented series of incidents since the coalition assumed office, including the stampede during Mukkoti Ekadasi, theft of the Anjaneya Swamy idol, repeated violations of the sanctity of the holy hill and growing inconvenience to ordinary devotees while the TTD administration remains focused on serving VVIPs. They questioned how a centuries-old idol could be stolen from one of the country’s most secured pilgrimage centres despite extensive surveillance.

Vellampalli recalled that the YSRCP government ordered a CBI inquiry into the Antarvedi chariot fire in 2020 and rebuilt temples demolished during the previous TDP regime with ₹70 crore in government funds. Malladi Vishnu said temple thefts, attacks on priests, failure to implement hereditary rights of archakas, diversion of ₹23 crore from the Brahmin Corporation and inaction against illegal mining near sacred sites reflected the coalition government’s neglect of Hindu temples. The leaders asserted that YSRCP would intensify its movement to protect Hindu Dharma, temples and the faith of millions of devotees.