Andhra Pradesh   

Congress hurt sentiments of people: Ashok

VIZIANAGARAM: Hereditary trustee of Sri Pydithalli Ammavari Devasthanam and TDP polit bureau member P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Wednesday reacted sharply to the ‘political colour' added by the Congress to the annual ‘Sirimanotsavam' of the goddess on Tuesday. Congress supporters carried huge banners, sported party caps and upper garments and took out rallies during the utsav celebrations and thus invited criticism from people.

At a press conference, Mr. Ashok said: “What happened yesterday was in bad taste. It was not correct to do extraneous things with an eye on municipal elections at a religious function.

If at all you, obviously referring to Minister for Panchayat Raj Botcha Satyanarayana, want to introduce strenuous things you can build temples on your own and display party flags.” Devotees were of the opinion that the utsav was not celebrated as per customs in practice for over a couple of centuries.” Customs evolved centuries ago must not be violated despite an end to feudalism decades ago, he said and added that no one had the right to hurt sentiments of people.

Dig at police

To a question that the scions of Poosapati Gajapathis stopped pulling rope to set the chariot in motion, he said that ageing was the problem. However, endowment officials were asked to follow the customs. He said that police too remained ineffective when Congress supporters amid beating of drums moved with the ‘sirimaanu'. He was critical about cancellation of ‘dharma darshanam' for poor devotees and it was reportedly done on the instructions of Commissioner (Endowments).

I.V.P. Raju, party general secretary, said that gross violation of customs were witnessed at the jaatara and the poor were forced to offer prayers from outside the temple as the Endowments Department fixed rates for darshan. The Congress rallies resembled the party's plenary session rather than a devotional event, he added. Party senior leaders V.S. Prasad, B. Appa Rao and others were present.

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