YSRCP leader accuses TTD of planning to end Veda Parayanam
YSR Congress Party undivided Chittoor district president and former TTD chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy on Friday alleged that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams management was planning to end Veda Parayanam at the temple and termed it a sacrilege of the highest order.
However, the TTD condemned the remarks of Mr. Reddy and said that there was never any plan to end Veda Parayanam.
Mr. Reddy at a media conference here on Friday (June 20) also accused a senior Devasthanams official of recently making fun of Veda Parayanam and terming it 'a waste of time'.
He questioned how the officials of the temple management, who are required to uphold the Vedic Dharma, could make such irresponsible comments and belittle the age old traditions followed for centuries at the ancient temple.
He also accused that the TTD authorities under the new regime were subjecting the priests to harassment by forcing them to undergo physical frisking, a practice that never existed in the past.
Making light of TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu's oft-repeated phrase 'Artificial intelligence' to provide quick Darshan to pilgrims, Mr. Reddy said that the devotees were not even allowed into the queue lines to avoid showing rush and thus painting a rosy picture.
Responding strongly, the TTD management condemned all the above allegations and also refuted allegation that priests were subjected to physical frisking.
The frisking of employees entering and exiting the Parakamani currency counting centre, a long existing practice, was further strengthened by putting in place a Standard Operating Procedure, in view of an incident in 2023.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
2 hours ago
- United News of India
Congress, BRS diverting public attention to weaken BJP: K Reddy
Hyderabad, June 20 (UNI) Union Minister and Telangana BJP President G Kishan Reddy on Friday accused the Congress government of bringing up various issues to divert public attention and suppress the rise of the BJP in the state. He also alleged that both the Congress and the BRS are working in coordination to stop the BJP's growth in Telangana. Kishan Reddy was addressing a key workshop at the BJP Telangana State Office, aimed at strategising for the upcoming local body elections. Senior party leaders, including National General Secretary Sunil Bansal, Telangana in-charge Abhay Patil, MPs Etala Rajender, D.K. Aruna, Godem Nagesh, and several MLAs and district leaders, participated in the session. Referring to the recent revelations in the phone tapping case, Kishan Reddy said, "The situation is alarming. Phones of BJP staff, leaders, and even the social media team were tapped under the BRS regime. Judges, businessmen, film stars, and elected representatives were also targeted. Instead of investigating seriously, both Congress and BRS are playing political games around it." He criticised Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for changing his stand after assuming office. "When in the opposition, he demanded a CBI probe. Now, he remains silent," Reddy said. Kishan Reddy called on BJP workers to take the message to the people about the corruption during BRS rule and the Congress government's failure to implement its six guarantees and over 400 election promises. 'A BJP government is essential to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Telangana. Only under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership can we save this state and bring development,' he said. Blaming both the BRS and Congress for the financial crisis in the state, Reddy stated that Telangana has plunged into debt due to the misgovernance of the past decade. "Today, there isn't even enough money to pay salaries. Welfare schemes are being delayed, and development programmes are at a standstill," he added. The Union Minister emphasised the need to build a strong BJP from the grassroots, especially by bringing in youth and leaders from marginalised and rural backgrounds. He directed the party to conduct mandal- and district-level workshops and training programmes to prepare the cadre for future political movements. Reddy also highlighted the Centre's contribution to Telangana's development, including ongoing infrastructure projects like the development of 42 railway stations, national highways, rural development programmes, and welfare schemes such as free 5 kg rice for the poor and financial support to panchayats. "Without central assistance, no sector—be it railways, education, or health—can see progress in Telangana," he asserted. He also spoke about upcoming awareness campaigns and political events, including the observance of June 25 as Anti-Emergency Day (Dark Day) to remind the public of Congress's past actions against democracy and constitutional values. 'Today's Congress leaders act like they are the protectors of the Constitution, but history shows they have subverted it time and again,' he said, calling on the BJP cadre to educate the public about these issues. Kishan Reddy urged the party to unite under the vision of Prime Minister Modi and become a strong alternative in Telangana. He said that many new leaders have already joined the party, and efforts are underway to bring more leaders and public representatives into the BJP fold. UNI VV ARN
Economic Times
3 hours ago
- Economic Times
ECI issues SOP for EVM memory check, mock polls
The Election Commission has released a new procedure for checking Electronic Voting Machines. This follows orders from the Supreme Court. The process includes burnt memory checks and mock polls. It will first be used in Maharashtra's 2024 assembly elections. The verification process involves diagnostic checks and video recording. Losing candidates can request verification of some EVMs. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Election Commission has issued a fresh Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the checking and verification (C&V) of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), including a burnt memory check and the option of a mock poll for the first two losing candidates, in line with Supreme Court orders dated May new protocol will first be applied to over 100 C&V applications from the fiercely contested 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections, mostly filed by INDIA bloc SOP, issued on June 17 and circulated to all Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), outlines the step-by-step process. Once the status of pending election petitions is confirmed and necessary High Court permissions are obtained, CEOs will share a summary with EVM manufacturers ECIL and BEL . The manufacturers must respond within two weeks with a district-wise C&V schedule, names of authorised engineers, and a designated district in-charge engineer who will sign off on the certificate of authenticity of the EVM's burnt memory and any unit fails the C&V process, a detailed report from the engineer and district election officer must be submitted to the Election Commission and the faulty unit stored separately. The process must be completed within four weeks of CEOs sharing EP status with verification will be limited to 20 Ballot Units, 10 Control Units, and 10 VVPATs per request. Diagnostic checks will cost ₹23,600 per EVM set, rising to ₹47,200 if a mock poll is included. This is a reduction from ₹40,000 during the 2024 Lok Sabha entire process, including the mock poll, will be video recorded and preserved for up to three months. However, this record will not be treated as "election papers" under Sections 93 and 94 of the Conduct of Election Rules, mock poll will be conducted only on EVMs that pass EC's self-diagnostic and mutual authentication tests. The machines will mirror the actual poll-day configuration, and a maximum of 1,400 votes may be cast by the applicant candidate. VVPAT slips from the mock poll will be counted and matched with results from the Control Unit by engineers from ECIL or BEL. Candidates may also choose to load their symbols on the the SC's April 26 ruling, the two losing candidates in each constituency can seek burnt memory verification in up to 5% of EVMs within seven days of the counting day. The original 2024 EC protocol was challenged for its effectiveness, leading to the court's May 9 order approving the enhanced procedure.
United News of India
4 hours ago
- United News of India
TTD Ex-Chairman's allegations completely false: TTD
Tirumala, June 20 (UNI) Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) on Friday rubbished allegations levelled by its former Chairman Bhumana Karunakara Reddy and condemned the mudslinging at the organisation without concrete evidence. The allegations that the temple priests are not properly treated or given respect are also "completely false. They always have the respect given to them. However, many reforms have been brought about inside the temple in recent times, TTD said in a release here on Friday evening. ''It is completely untrue to say that an attempt is being made to undermine the generations of Vedic recitation in the Srivari temple and to speak derisively of the Vedic reciters. At present, the duration of Vedic recitation in Srivari temple is not only increased but also fully stabilised now. From the past one year, TTD made it prominent that the divine chant, ''Om Namo Venkatesaya'' also be heard and echoed everywhere in Srivari Temple, outside, on both footpaths, Kalyana Katta, Srivari Seva, outside queue lines, Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprasadam Complex etc. TTD is also taking steps to increase the physical and mental strength of Vedic students in Vedic schools Inside the temple also TTD has started the process of collecting opinions from the devotees on darshan, tirtha prasadams and laid emphasis on transparency in the system. Devotees are also praising this innovative approach of TTD. The allegation regarding issuing notices to several mutts in Tirumala is also completely untrue, the TTD clarified and adding that everyone in the country is bound to Law. Following the court orders, notices were issued to Visakha Sharada Peetham and one or two other Mutts for encroaching more space than the land allocated by TTD to them, it also clarified. All the mutts are also appreciating the reforms brought by TTD in the last year. TTD has also given permission to several Mutts for repairs and modernization as per norms. It would be good to know the facts before speaking falsely that they are stopping the devotees by saying that they will provide Srivari darshan within a couple of hours with AI technology. From the past one year TTD has brought many reforms focussing on providing hassle free darshan to the multitude of devotees visiting Tirumala. TTD has been analyzing the situation from time to time like never before and perfectly following the time management in a scientific manner in maintaining the queues. An additional 22 food counters have also been set up for the devotees who are waiting in the queue lines outside serving Annaprasadams, milk, tea, coffee, buttermilk and snacks according to the timeline. With a systematic action plan, a comfortable darshan to record the number of devotees is being provided on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays like never before. To provide enhanced services to the pilgrims feedback from devotees is being received in three different modes. It is remarkable that more than 90 percent of the devotees have expressed their satisfaction with the services being provided by TTD such as Annaprasadam, accommodation, drinking water, laddu prasadams from the feedback collected through IVRS, WHATSAPP, and Srivari Sevaks. TTD is making all efforts to make darshan through Artificial Intelligence possible soon. In 2023 after a scandal in Parakamani came to light, an armoured system was put in place since last one year. A SoP in Parakamani to restore the lost trust in the system was prepared. As per the SoP, anyone entering Parakamani will have to undergo security checks and thorough scrutiny. UNI KNR SSP
