*Temple tragedies reflect Government failure: Vellampalli*

Tadepalli, Feb 10: Former Minister Vellampalli Srinivas strongly criticized the coalition government,stating that repeated incidents and safety failures at temples show complete administrative negligence and disregard for devotees’ lives. Speaking at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, he said the government has failed to ensure safety and basic facilities for pilgrims. He recalled that during the coalition government’s first year itself, alleged mismanagement during Vaikuntha Ekadashi at Tirumala led to six devotee deaths, a wall collapse during the Simhachalam Chandanotsavam reportedly killed seven, and a stampede at Kashi Bugga claimed nine lives. He described the recent lathi charge on Shiva devotees at Srisailam during Maha Shivaratri as the height of insensitivity and failure. He demanded action against the ASP involved in the lathi charge and called for Home Minister Anitha to resign on moral grounds.
Srinivas stated that since the coalition came to power, security for Hindu devotees has weakened and temple management has deteriorated. He said Srisailam, being one of the largest pilgrimage centers after Tirumala, receives massive crowds, especially during Shivaratri, including many pilgrims who undertake long foot journeys from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. He alleged that earlier devotees undertaking Deeksha were given a 30–40 day darshan window, but the current government reduced it to seven days, increasing crowd pressure and hardship. He accused the government of failing to provide drinking water, shade, mats, or basic amenities for women, children, elderly, and differently-abled devotees, and termed the police lathi charge on pilgrims “inhumane.” 
He questioned why Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan and the Home Minister have not responded.
He further stated the government disrespecting devotees while prioritizing ministers and VIP movements, halting darshan for hours even for women with children. He alleged poor coordination among police, revenue, endowments, and forest departments as a reason for recurring incidents. Srinivas also criticized past remarks by Chandrababu Naidu about Ayyappa devotees, claiming they were disrespectful. He said devotees now fear visiting temples due to frequent stampedes, force, and mismanagement, and labeled the government as anti-devotee. He urged the government to immediately improve arrangements at major Shaiva temples across the state during festival seasons and reiterated his demand for strict action against the officer responsible for the Srisailam incident and the resignation of the Home Minister.