Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic stampede at Tirupati, which resulted in the deaths of six devotees of Lord Venkateswara. The incident occurred during the distribution of tokens for Vaikunta Ekadashi darshan. CM Naidu, who had just returned to Visakhapatnam after attending the inauguration of ₹2.8 lakh crore investments by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stated that hearing the news filled him with immense grief.
The Chief Minister provided the names of the victims: Lavanya (Visakhapatnam), Shanti (Visakhapatnam), Naidu Babu (Narsipatnam), Rajini (Visakhapatnam), Nirmala (Coimbatore), and Mallika (Mettupalayam, Salem). He offered his condolences and prayed for the peace of their souls.
Call for Coordination to Preserve Tirumala’s Sanctity
CM Naidu urged the TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) Board Chairman, members, and the JEO (Joint Executive Officer) to work together to ensure the sanctity of Tirumala is maintained. He emphasized that the temple’s sacredness should not be compromised and that all involved should act as humble servants rather than authoritative figures.
“The sacredness of Tirumala must be upheld, and the temple must be managed with due respect and care,” Naidu stated. He also mentioned that, despite being in politics for over four decades, he was unaware of the token distribution system in Tirupati and suggested that additional safety measures were needed. “Tirumala’s peaceful environment is missing in Tirupati, and further precautions should be taken,” he added.
### Reflection on Governance and Future Measures
Chandrababu Naidu, while refraining from any political commentary, called attention to the mismanagement at Tirumala over the past five years. He asserted that, regardless of political affiliation, he always visits the temple as a common devotee. The Chief Minister further highlighted the government’s responsibility in managing temple services.
“We will decide on the number of tickets for Vaikunta Ekadashi after careful consideration. As Chief Minister and a devotee, it is my duty to protect the sanctity of Tirumala. The government has taken several measures to ensure that the sanctity of the holy site is preserved,” he concluded.
Naidu also emphasized that any violations of temple sanctity, whether intentional or unintentional, would be treated as mistakes. He reminded that serving Lord Venkateswara transcends politics, stating, “Just as Christians visit Jerusalem and Muslims go to Mecca, Hindus come to Tirumala. Devotees believe that a darshan on Vaikunta Ekadashi guarantees a path to salvation.”
