BJP demands inquiry into Tirupati ‘conversion’ incidents

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh BJP demanded an inquiry into the alleged conversions and Christian proselytizing on the Tiruamala Hills, claiming it hurt the religious sentiments of the majority community.

“There has been a systematic and methodical campaign in the temple town of Tirupati and some of the officials working with the holy shrine are also abetting conversions,” state secretary K Laxman told reporters here.

Alleging that large-scale proselytizing was being carried out by missionaries in the temple town, Laxman said some of the top posts were “deliberately” given to non-Hindus.

A campaign was carried out recently at the Padmavati Womens’ University, aided by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, propagating Christianity, he alleged.

He claimed that preaching was being done in buses and residential areas, and demanded that an inquiry be ordered to bring out facts on the “presence and style of operation of Christian missionaries” at Tirupati.

The Left parties were trying to blame BJP for “politicizing” the issue but the facts would come out if an impartial inquiry was ordered into the entire episode, he added.

Two youths were arrested while they were allegedly recording on video a Cross painted on a house while two nuns were taken into custody while they were allegedly distributing flowers and “material” at a hospital recently which fuelled the controversy.

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