With YSR Congress party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy planning a visit to Tirumala on August 27, the debate over his declaration of faith in Lord Venkateswara has resurfaced.
During his tenure as chief minister, Jagan never signed the mandatory declaration form required before entering the temple.
The declaration is a compulsory undertaking for non-Hindus, affirming their respect and faith in Lord Venkateswara before being allowed darshan.
Last year, when the controversy over adulterated ghee supplied for making Tirumala laddus broke out, Jagan had also planned a visit.
However, he withdrew at the last minute after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raised the issue of his Christian faith and demanded that he sign the declaration form.
In this context, questions are being raised again: Will Jagan sign the declaration this time, or will he once more avoid it and trigger controversy?
It also remains to be seen whether the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) will strictly enforce the rules and deny him entry without the signature.
According to sources, TTD authorities are firm about requiring the declaration. As per temple rules and regulations, anyone from another faith must sign the form before having darshan.
Devotees, too, are insisting that if Jagan truly believes in the Lord, he should have no hesitation in signing.
“Even celebrities and prominent figures sign the declaration when they visit Tirumala. Why should there be an exception in his case?” some devotees are asking.
The government has reportedly instructed TTD to ensure that darshan is permitted only after the declaration is signed, with no exceptions.
There is also a political angle to Jagan’s visit. Though he is officially coming for darshan, his underlying objective is expected to be raising contentious issues in Tirupati that have drawn criticism from the YSRCP in the recent past.
He is likely to highlight matters such as the sale of Hathiram Bawa Trust lands, the handing over of TTD land to Oberoi Hotels, and alleged irregularities in Srivani Trust darshans.
