Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The Andhra Pradesh government will not tolerate any form of irregularity, misconduct or sacrilege in the State’s temples, Endowments Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy has asserted. He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found undermining the sanctity of temples, irrespective of their position or influence.

Speaking to the media at Atmakur on Wednesday, the Minister responded to a series of recent incidents reported at prominent temples in the State, including Draksharamam Bhimeswara Temple, Simhachalam Temple, and Nandyal Venkateswara Swamy Temple. He said the government had reacted swiftly to each incident on the directions of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu.

The Minister stated that officials had been instructed to ensure that such incidents do not recur and to strengthen monitoring and security mechanisms at temples across the State. “Any act that compromises the purity of temples or hurts the sentiments of devotees will be dealt with firmly,” he said.

Detailing the action taken in individual cases, Anam Ramnarayana Reddy said that in Draksharamam, a person who vandalised a Shiva Lingam located outside the temple premises was identified using CCTV footage and arrested. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused committed the act due to personal animosity towards temple staff. He added that a new Shiva Lingam was immediately consecrated at the site to restore religious sanctity.

In another case, the Minister referred to allegations at the Nandyal Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, where fake silver items were allegedly placed in place of original ornaments. He said a detailed inquiry was underway under the supervision of the Kurnool Deputy Commissioner of Endowments, and assured that the missing silver articles would be recovered and responsibility fixed on those involved.

Addressing the incident at Simhachalam, where a devotee complained of finding an insect in the temple prasadam, the Minister said an FIR had been registered against the employee who allegedly behaved rudely with the complainant. He emphasised that devotees must be treated with respect and that any lapse in conduct by temple staff would invite disciplinary and legal action. The Endowments Minister reiterated that protecting temples and ensuring the safety, dignity and faith of devotees remains a core priority of the coalition government. He added that special arrangements had been made to ensure smooth darshan and facilities for pilgrims during major religious occasions, including the recently observed Vaikunta Ekadasi, without causing inconvenience to devotees.

“The government’s approach is clear, 

zero tolerance towards misconduct in temples and unwavering commitment to preserving their sanctity.”

Anam Ramnarayana Reddy