TIRUMALA: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman BR Naidu issued an unconditional apology on Friday for the stampede in Tirupati that resulted in six deaths and left dozens injured.
This development followed his earlier statement in which he remarked that while offering an apology might be appropriate, it would not bring the deceased back.
His comments sparked significant backlash, with some accusing him of responding to Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan’s directive, instructing senior TTD officials to apologise to the families of the deceased and the injured.
Addressing a gathering at the Pithapuram Assembly constituency during the Sankranti celebrations in Kakinada district, Pawan said, “TTD Trust Board Chairman BR Naidu, Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao, and other officials should say sorry to the victims of the stampede and the people of the State for their failure in tackling the large congregation of devotees. You (Naidu and Shyamala Rao) have no option but to say sorry by holding a press conference.”
Clarifying on his remarks, BR Naidu said his comments were not aimed at Pawan Kalyan. He emphasised that he had already expressed condolences and apologised to the families of the deceased as soon as he was informed of the incident.
Free education for children of deceased
Meanwhile, TTD held an emergency board meeting at Annamaiah Bhavan in Tirumala on Friday. The board members expressed their condolences for the six devotees who died in the stampede in Tirupati on January 8. They also decided to provide free education to the children of the deceased at TTD-run educational institutions.
In a subsequent press conference, TTD Chairman BR Naidu announced that, following instructions from Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the board had decided to grant Rs 25 lakh as ex-gratia to the families of the deceased.
Several VIPs cancel visit to Srivari temple
Additionally, TTD board members Vemireddy Prashanthi Reddy and Suchitra Ella pledged Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased, while MS Raju promised to extend Rs 3 lakh to each of the family.
TTD EO J Syamala Rao, Additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdary, and other important officials participated in the meeting.
Special darshan for injured
As per the Chief Minister's instructions, TTD authorities made special darshan arrangements for devotees who were injured in the stampede.
Following their darshan, the devotees thanked Naidu and the TTD officials for providing them the auspicious Mukkoti Darshanam.
After this, CM’s of Telangana and Puducherry, at least six Union Ministers, four State Ministers and 20 MLAs cancelled their trip to Tirumala for offering prayers to Lord Venkateswara on Ekadasi.