Chandrababu Naidu blames temple authority for stampede-like situation in Tirumala, calls for improved facilities
India Today
TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu blamed the temple authority for the stampede-like situation in the Tirumala shrine. Naidu called for better facilities for the devotees.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday expressed serious concerns over problems faced by devotees in getting 'sarva darshan' tokens in Andhra Pradesh's Tirumala temple.
Naidu criticised the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for not providing facilities for women, children and the elderly, who were waiting in long queues. Naidu's statement comes after at least three people were injured in a stampede-like situation at the Tirumala shrine.
READ | 3 injured in stampede-like situation in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati
The former chief minister said, ‘’TTD did not take any preventive steps considering the expected surge in devotees. Thousands of pilgrims along with their infants and children were waiting in queue for hours together. It was atrocious that drinking water and shade were not provided to the multitudes of devotees waiting for darshan tickets.’’
Chandrababu Naidu blamed TTD for negligence shown in providing darshan and accommodation. The TDP chief said the TTD was looking at the Tirumala shrine as solely a source of income generation but not as a devotional centre.
‘’The devotees' sentiments were being greatly hurt by imposing sanctions on their visit to God's abode,’’ he alleged.
Naidu demanded TTD tender an apology to the devotees and take all the required steps to prevent such untoward incidents in future.
