The construction of an Islamic University at Tondavada, 10 km from the temple town, is snowballing into a major controversy with Hindu religious leaders upping the ante and demanding its demolition.
Speaking at a well-attended public meeting, Hindu Garjana, at the TUDA grounds here Friday, several seers and pontiffs of various mutts slammed the State government for giving its nod to the university. The women’s university, which has 325 students, was originally supposed to be a G+1 building. However, six floors have been constructed. The Hindu religious leaders demanded that it be shifted from its present location and alleged that it was a “deliberate attempt at destabilising social harmony” in Tirupati. A security cordon was thrown around the TUDA grounds where the meeting, attended by thousands, was organised by the Tirumala Tirupati Pavitrata Parirakshana Samiti and also at the Islamic University. Tension prevailed in the town prior to the meeting with the authorities refusing to give it permission till the last minute and the Samiti threatening to besiege the university.
Addressing the gathering, Visakha Sarada Peetam Pontiff Swaroopanandendra Saraswathi said, “The blind government officials, who permitted construction of the Islamic University unmindful of the risk involved, are now imposing curbs on us.” Citing the recent arrest of terrorists in Puttur and their aborted plan to target Srivari Brahmotsavams, he wondered how could the government let an Islamic University come up near Tirupati.
Demanding that the government cancel permission given to the University, he said they will continue the stir till it was demolished.
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