Experiences during agitation staged against Islamic University at Tirupati

Paush Krushnapaksha 7, Kaliyug Varsha 5115

Introduction : Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) had held a huge agitation against Islamic University being constructed at Tirupati, a religious place of Hindus and Hindus from different places were invited to join the agitation. As a part of this drive, we were going for ‘prasar’ everyday to invite local Hindus. Given below are our experiences during this period of propagation.

1. Condition of Hindus at Tirupati

1A. Most of local Hindus unaware of Islamic University : During this period, a surprising thing came to light and that was, most of the local Hindus were not aware that a 7 storey huge building has come up in Tirupati called Islamic University.

1B. Reactions of few Hindus : Few people said that if they build a university, what is wrong with it, are they not citizens of our country ?Some people said that let people come here; because at least for them, the Government will provide civic amenities. This shows the method of our governance.

2. Hindus are not bothered about problems faced by their Hindu brethren as against own comforts; not aware of national security hazards which made us realize need for imparting ‘Dharma-shiskhan’ to Hindus

Listening to all such reaction, ignorance of Hindus was realized. It was observed that they are so narrow-minded and selfish that they are not bothered about security of the country against their own comforts. They do not think beyond self, own family and own life; therefore, they are ignorant about what is going around them or condition of own country or what kind of problems other Hindus are facing etc.

They do not think that they are staying in a religious place and it is their duty to protect sanctity of that place. We felt that such Hindus were lifeless and because of such Hindus most of the Hindus in this country and even the country, is on the verge of destruction. It was realized that there is need to awaken consciousness amongst such Hindus by imparting ‘Dharma-shikshan’.

3. Strict security measures undertaken for devotees going for ‘darshan’ at Tirupati

3A. Pilgrims are sent after going through security check machine at every place : Machines have been fixed everywhere at Tirumala – Tirupati. Every person has to go through such security check; everything, big or small, carried by them is checked. Responsibility of security is shouldered by Devasthan and Government jointly. There are many big residential places for devotees at this place of pilgrimage. People staying there also have to go through such security check every time they visit the temple during the day.

3B. Checking and standing in line for hours

A. One cannot carry any electronic thing while going in Sri Balaji Temple. One has to stand in the queue for handing over one’s possessions like cell phones, cameras etc. to officer of temple management.

B. Then again, they have to stand in queue for ‘darshan’. Here too, checking takes place 3 times.

C. Lastly, the ‘prasad’ in the form of ‘laddus’ received from Devasthana is also checked.

4. Those making Hindus go through so many checking, are totally indifferent towards Islamic University being built on this land of Devashthan

Devasthan which is maintaining such high security is, however, overlooking construction of Islamic University; openly taking place on the land under its control. Why security of Dev-sthan or nation was not thought about ? What is the purpose of constructing Islamic University at such place where there are only 0.5% Muslims, was not thought about either the Government or the Temple Management; then what will they achieve by having such tight security checking for Hindu devotees ? Dev-sthan and the Government should ponder over this point; but they would not do it; therefore, the awakened Hindus should make them think about these things.

– Sou. Vinuta Shetty, Andhra Pradesh