Article from The Hindu: Sent to you by venkat kanumalla

October 17, 2006

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This article has been sent to you by venkat kanumalla ( sridhardikshit )

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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2006/10/18/stories/2006101815500300.htm)

Andhra Pradesh

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Tirupati

Pejawar pontiff meets TTD top brass

Special Correspondent

Measures taken to curb alleged missionary activity at Tirumala reviewed

Corrective measures taken by the TTD during the last four months reviewed at the meeting TTD team explains tangible measures taken to curb missionary activity

TIRUPATI:

The pontiff of the Udipi Pejawar Mutt, Sri Visweswara Theertha, who spearheaded a campaign four months ago against missionary activity at Tirumala, on Tuesday interacted with the top brass of the TTD management. The interface between the two comes in the wake of a broad consensus reached between them four months ago to implement a package in a phased manner to address the problem on a permanent footing.

The corrective measures taken by the TTD during the last four months came in for a close review at the meeting between the swamiji heading the `Tirumala-Tirupati Parirakshana Samithi' and the TTD management led by the Board Chairman, B. Karunakar Reddy, Executive Officer, A.P.V. Narayana Sarma and the Tirumala-based Jt. E.O, Balaramaiah. The TTD team explained the tangible measures the TTD had taken during the period which the pontiff and his entourage broadly approved.

Stress on GO

The points highlighted by the TTD team in course of the review meeting was a recommendation made to the Government to issue a G.O bringing all the `seven hills' under the purview of the Tirumala temple/TTD. Noting that the G.O was still under process the pontiff also suggested that the TTD recommend to the Government to declare Tirumala as `Hindu religious township' or `Township of Lord Venkateswara' instead of the calling it a mere `Religious township'.

The Chairman told the seer that since the issue was beyond the TTD's powers, it would refer the matter to the Government for its decision. The seer was said to have insisted on a time-frame for the release of the G.O.

As for the deportation of the non-hindus from Tirumala, the TTD told the panel that the question did not arise as there was none and none would be allowed in future too.