Sadhus staged a protest against the construction of a 7-star hotel belonging to the Oberoi Group near Alipiri in Tirupati city. They demanded that the land allotment given to the hotel be cancelled and the structures demolished. They started their protest in Alipiri and were leaving for Tirumala on a padayatra when the police stopped them.
The police made them sit next to the pilgrims’ rest house in Alipiri. The police convinced them that the large number of pilgrims walking could cause inconvenience to ordinary devotees. Meanwhile, BCY party leader Ramachandra Yadav reached Alipiri with his followers in support of them.
They raised slogans along with them. Later, he said that the responsibility of protecting the sanctity of Tirumala lies with the rulers. He deplored that they are saying whatever they think about the adulteration of ghee, and they have not yet given any clarity on whether it has been adulterated or not.
He said that he had requested that cow shelters be set up under the auspices of TTD and that only the milk and ghee produced from them be used for the Lord. He said that he would give the cows and a 25-acre mango orchard to the cow shelter for free, but they did not listen.
He demanded that the lands at Alipiri be tied up with private individuals and that anti-religious programs be started, and that they be immediately canceled. He said that he was going to the hill on a padayatra along with the saints for the sanctity of Tirumala. Meanwhile, the Tirumala police served notices to Srinivasa Saraswati and Ramachandraiah Yadav.
The notices stated that no political speeches or criticisms should be made on the Tirumala hill, no protests should be held, and no disturbance should be caused to the spiritual atmosphere. He said that legal action would be taken if they violated it. After worshipping the cow, they left for Tirumala via the walking path.
After reaching the ‘hill’, they ignored the police notices. In Tirumala, they sat in protest in front of the Srivari temple, near Akhilandam. They raised slogans. The police tried to persuade them but they did not listen. Finally, all of them were dragged and taken to Tirupati and various police stations in vehicles.
The police made it clear that action will be taken against them as per the rules. Meanwhile, BCY party president Ramachandra Yadav said that they will continue the struggle until the cleansing is done in Tirumala. The police took him into custody in Tirumala and took him to Bhakarapet police station.