● No protection for temple lands in the state
● Chandrababu’s government is paving the way for loot
● Coalition hawks circling sacred temple lands
● Eye on Venugopala Swamy temple lands in Vinagadapa, NTR district
● Removal of 1,036.37 acres worth over ₹1,000 crore from the prohibited lands list
● Instead of protecting temple lands, a move to devour them
● Devotees outraged over Chandrababu government’s actions
● Continuous insults and loot since the coalition came to power
● Silent Pawan Kalyan and BJP MP Purandeswari
● Earlier propaganda against the previous govt, now keeping mum
Government Itself Looting God’s Property
Tadepalli: Instead of safeguarding temple lands, the coalition government under CM Chandrababu is accused of attempting to usurp them. Neither he nor his allies appear to have fear of God or devotion. Ever since the coalition assumed power, the Endowments Department has been dysfunctional. Despite repeated sacrilegious incidents, neither the Minister nor the CM has intervened. Critics allege Chandrababu’s government has turned temple lands into commodities for sale. In NTR district’s Narikampadu, 1,036 acres belonging to Sri Jagannmohana Venugopala Swamy temple were removed from the prohibited list by government orders – an alleged sign of another large-scale land scam.
No Protection for God’s Lands
Since the coalition came to power, temple lands have had no safety. Green vultures (TDP leaders) are circling across the state, ready to grab any land available. If the government itself moves to devour temple property, what protection will remain for common citizens’ lands?
Monopoly Over Temple Properties?
The coalition government issued G.O.Ms No. 139, scrapping the auction system for non-agricultural temple lands and replacing it with 33-year long-term leases. Critics argue this is nothing but monopolizing temple lands to distribute them among allies like “sweets.”
False Propaganda Then, Silence Now
The TDP, Jana Sena, and BJP leaders once spread false propaganda against the YSRCP government, promising to protect temple lands if they came to power. But after forming the government, not only have they failed to protect, they are accused of actively facilitating encroachment. Lands are being handed to private companies cheaply while Hindu temple properties are left exposed. Devotees criticize Chandrababu, who calls himself a devotee of Lord Venkateswara, for targeting Venugopala Swamy temple lands.
Pawan Kalyan and Purandeswari Silent?
Pawan Kalyan, who staged dramas under “Varahi Declarations” claiming to protect temples and Hindu dharma, is silent now when temple lands are being usurped. Similarly, BJP MP Purandeswari, who once branded YSRCP as “anti-Hindu,” has not uttered a word about temple land loot under her own coalition.
Chandrababu’s Legacy of Sins Against Temples
Opposition recalls a long list of temple-related misdeeds by Chandrababu: demolition of temples in Vijayawada, Godavari Pushkaram stampede killing 29, demolition of Tirumala’s thousand-pillar mandapam, diversion of TTD funds, Sadaavarthi lands scandal in Tamil Nadu, Hathiram Baba Mutt encroachments, poisoning propaganda on TTD laddus, and deaths due to negligence in Simhachalam. Now, the removal of 1,036 acres of Venugopala Swamy lands is seen as another unforgivable sin.
Venugopala Swamy Temple Lands Issue
In Vinagadapa village, Tiruvuru constituency of NTR district, lands worth over ₹1,000 crore belonging to Sri Venugopala Swamy temple have been removed from the prohibited list by the government. This move is being linked to lobbying by TDP leaders from Uttarandhra and Krishna districts and large-scale monetary transactions.
Extreme Overreach
Donors gifted 1,036.37 acres to the temple, registered as temple property under 1966 and 1987 Endowment Acts, and included in the prohibited list under Section 22(A)(1)(c). Yet, citing a High Court order lifting prohibition only on 28.35 acres, the government went ahead and lifted restrictions on the entire 1,036 acres, which opposition calls the height of overreach.
Ignoring Court Orders
Despite Supreme Court judgments in 2013 that inam land sales are invalid, the Endowments Department issued orders on August 13, 2025, removing these temple lands from the prohibited list. Devotees allege this is an outright theft of temple property with official sanction.
Duty of Government
The duty of the government is to protect temple assets, not facilitate their plunder. Devotees warn that if Chandrababu doesn’t stop encroaching on sacred lands, divine justice will follow.
Shocking Incidents Since the Coalition Came to Power in Temples
● Sri Kurmam: Sacred turtles, believed to embody Lord Vishnu’s Kurma avatar, died due to negligence.
● Tirumala: Women filmed reels singing non-Hindu hymns at Papavinasanam; a car with religious symbols of another faith entered Tirumala unchecked.
● TTD Board Appointment: Criminal-accused TDP leader Mallala Rajasekhar appointed as TTD Board member.
● Sale of Religious Bracelets: Steel bangles with non-Hindu symbols sold in TTD shops.
● Fire Accident: Fire at Tirumala laddu sale counter (Jan 2025).
● Child Death: A 3-year-old boy died after falling from Padmanabha Nilayam guesthouse (Jan 2025).
● Non-Vegetarian Food in Tirumala: Group from Tamil Nadu cooked eggs and meat dishes in Tirumala parking (Jan 2025).
● Photo Shoot Scandal: Karnataka MLA’s family staged photo shoot in front of the sanctum (Jan 2025).
● TTD Board Member’s Abuse: TTD board member hurled vulgar abuse at staff (Feb 2025).
● Cattle Deaths: Over 191 cows died in TTD goshalas within three months.
● Delay in Naivedyam: Offering delayed due to security negligence (Apr 2025).
● Wearing Footwear in Temple Premises: Devotees spotted with shoes inside temple premises (Apr 2025).
● Demolitions at Kasinayana Shrine: Annadanam hall, goshalas demolished under Deputy CM’s orders (Mar 2025).
● Rama Idol Beheaded Case: Accused of beheading Rama idol received ₹5 lakh relief cheque from CM fund after coalition came to power.
● Godavari Pushkaram Tragedy (2015): 29 devotees died in stampede due to Naidu’s VIP darshan drama.
● Ontimitta Temple Collapse (2018): Temporary shed collapse killed 4, injured 60.
● Demolition of Tirumala’s Thousand-Pillar Mandapam (2003): Chandrababu ordered demolition, sparking outrage.
● Accidents on Tirumala Ghat Roads (2025): Multiple road mishaps injuring devotees.
● TTD Email Scam (Mar 2025): Fake Gmail ID in the name of TTD used to cheat devotees by a Jana Sena activist.
● Sri Sailam Malpractices: Sale of liquor, gambling, illegal activities around temple unchecked.
● Idol Vandalism in Srikakulam (May 2025): 7 idols in Kodanda Rama temple vandalized.
