In the eyes of Congress party president YS Sharmila, are temples and toilets the same? Can she give the same advice to churches and mosques?Endowment Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy expressed his anger towards her for such comments. Instead of building temples, will she advise building toilets that are necessary for the society?, he was furious.
However, what does Sharmila know about spirituality except about property?, he asked. “Sharmila’s comments on Hinduism are unfortunate. Are those comments her own policy? Or the policy of the Congress party? It should be clarified”, he added.
The Minister lamented that it is not surprising that those who make religious conversions their profession do not like the construction of temples. He deplored that Sharmila, who was silent when the donation money of Tirumala Sri Venkateswara was looted, is now criticizing the construction of temples.
He accused that Sharmila is worried that if temples are built in Dalit villages, as thus other religions will suffer. He made it clear that TTD is not a government treasury and there are special rules for using the donations received by that organization and they should be spent accordingly.
The minister criticized the Congress party for not being able to rise in the state and for speaking beyond Sharmila’s level. Anam was furious that while her father YS respects all religions, their children hate Hinduism every time. “In the next five years, we will build 5,000 temples in Dalit and tribal colonies in the state. We will collect the necessary funds for these as donations from the people”, said Minister Anam.
“We are undertaking the expansion and development work of a thousand temples in November. We have issued notifications for the formation of governing bodies in 926 temples”, said the minister.
Meanwhile, if Venkateswara Swamy temples are built in Dalit villages with the donations made by devotees to Tirumala Venkanna, what is the problem for PCC President Sharmila, who practices Christianity?, BJP leader Vallur Jayaprakash Narayana questioned in a statement.
“Her family has always been spewing venom on Tirumala Hill. A father who said there were no seven hills, an elder brother who adulterated laddu, a sister who said temples were not allowed in Dalit villages. Will Sharmila react in the same way to the construction of churches in colonies were Hindu Dalits live?, Vallur protested.