Thefts in temples… Thieves roaming freely

“There is a famous Telugu proverb: For the one who swallows the temple itself, the idol inside it means nothing. Chief Minister Chandrababu and his associates, who made false allegations that animal fat, pig fat, fish oil, and even bathroom chemicals were mixed in the sacred Tirumala laddu, are repeatedly proving that they have no regard for temple sanctity or Hindu Dharma in their governance. Since the coalition government assumed power in June 2024, numerous sacrilegious incidents and shocking events have been occurring at spiritual centres across the state. The moment Chandrababu dragged Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala into political controversy, incidents of sacrilege, negligence, and irregularities in temples began surfacing in large numbers across the state.

Recently, an incident came to light in which a TTD contract employee committed theft while handling the counting of offerings in Srivari’s Parakamani. Although the incident occurred long ago, the Chandrababu government suppressed it to prevent it from coming to light.

Temple theft incidents Since chandrababu took power

17.12.2024
300 kilograms of jewellery stolen from 100 temples. A gang involved in temple thefts across the state was arrested.

19.08.2025
Staff misconduct at Ahobilam temple in Kurnool district. Theft from the hundi at Upper Ahobilam temple. Staff stole cash after cutting CCTV wires.

02.09.2025
Theft by employees at Appanna temple. During counting of hundi income, theft was detected. The Executive Officer identified the theft through CCTV footage. One outsourcing employee was removed and a permanent employee suspended. Gopalapatnam police registered a case.

08.12.2025
Executive Officer implicated in theft of silver offerings in Sri Sathya Sai district’s Kadiri town. Devotees caught EO Murali Krishna while he was transporting silver ornaments worth around Rs. 5 lakh from Yerradoddi Gangamma temple in an auto.

13.01.2026
Theft at Kashi Bugga Venkateswara temple. In the temple popularly known as “Chinna Tirupati” in Palasa–Kashibugga municipality of Srikakulam district, thieves stole six-and-a-half tolas of gold ornaments, 15 tolas of silver items, and three hundis. Temple trustee Harimukunda Panda complained to the police that ornaments and cash worth around Rs. 80 lakh were stolen.

22.01.2026
Even Rahu–Ketu idols are being stolen. With silver prices rising, silver snake hoods are disappearing. In Srikalahasteeswara temple, TDP coalition leaders allegedly purchased temple pooja tickets like ordinary devotees and took Rahu–Ketu silver serpent hoods weighing 5–10 grams and sold them to jewellery traders. Officials ignored these activities.

10.03.2026
Theft at Ramalingeswara Swamy temple in Yanamalakuduru, Vijayawada. Thieves targeted hundis due to officials’ negligence. Three persons were arrested.

These are only a few examples. There are allegations that many more incidents have not yet come to light.

Countless Sacrileges

On one hand, shocking incidents and sacrileges are repeatedly occurring in Tirumala. Stampedes in temples, destruction of deity idols, management failures at sacred places like the Durga temple, and even liquor and meat bottles being found near temple premises have drawn severe criticism against the Chandrababu government for remaining inactive. Recently, a temple priest was attacked in Kakinada district. Despite repeated incidents coming to light, the government’s lack of response has angered the Hindu community.

Does Chandrababu have the right to speak about dharma?

Intellectuals question whether Chandrababu has the moral authority to speak about protecting Dharma in temples. They say Chandrababu has already committed serious sacrileges and continues repeating the same mistakes even at this stage of his life. Analysts point out that the worst sacrileges in temples have occurred under Chandrababu’s leadership.

Thieves in Lord Venkateswara’s Temple

1. Thieves have entered Lord Venkateswara’s temple. Some loot in the name of ghee procurement while others directly steal offerings from the hundi. Horrific incidents that should never occur in such a sacred place are happening.
2. Under Chandrababu’s government, criminals have become fearless. From irregularities in ghee supply to theft of devotees’ offerings, countless sacrileges are occurring.
3. The theft of gold worth Rs. 1 crore from the Parakamani where offerings are counted clearly shows how the reputation of Tirumala is being tarnished under this government.
4. These Parakamani theft incidents have repeatedly occurred since the coalition government assumed power in 2024.
5. Despite repeated incidents, neither the TTD Chairman, Chief Minister Chandrababu, nor the Endowments Minister has shown any concern.
6. The deliberate suppression of these thefts indicates Chandrababu’s lack of commitment to Hindu Dharma.
7. While Chandrababu exaggerated a minor theft during the YSRCP government, he is now protecting those involved in stealing devotees’ offerings.
8. Instead of taking strict action, granting bail to the accused shows a lack of fear or devotion toward the deity.
9. It is evident that the accused involved in the Parakamani gold theft have strong connections with influential persons.
10. While attempting to brand YSRCP and Y.S. Jagan as anti-Hindu, the government is ignoring serious crimes occurring in temples.
11. Temple thefts, stampedes, poor management, and lack of facilities for devotees in queue lines show the government’s complete failure.
12. Chandrababu already has a history of demolishing more than 40 temples, and now temple sanctity is being undermined under his rule.
13. During the YSRCP government, when Parakamani theft worth about Rs. 72,000 occurred, the accused transferred properties worth Rs. 15 crore to the temple as restitution through legal proceedings. Yet Chandrababu created huge controversy with the help of the “yellow media.”
14. Now, when gold offerings worth Rs. 1 crore have been stolen under the coalition government, attempts are being made to dilute the case and protect the accused. Is this not betrayal of Lord Venkateswara?
15. Every morning Chandrababu claims to be the greatest devotee of Lord Venkateswara and promotes himself as the protector of Hindu Dharma through friendly media.
16. Yet when such grave incidents occur under his governance, why is Chandrababu remaining silent? YSRCP questioned.
17. Chandrababu earlier hurt the sentiments of millions of Hindus by making false allegations about animal fat in Tirumala laddus. Now even when devotees’ offerings to Lord Venkateswara are stolen, he remains silent.
18. YSRCP demanded that Chief Minister Chandrababu, Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, and the TTD Chairman take responsibility for the incident and resign from their posts. The party said those who bring disgrace to Lord Venkateswara have no right to remain in positions connected with the temple.