VIJAYAWADA: BJP Andhra Pradesh president P V N Madhav on Sunday alleged that a conspiracy was being carried out against Hinduism, Hindu temples and the sanctity of Sabarimala and called upon Hindus to unite and fight for the protection of the temple’s traditions.
Madhav made the remarks while speaking at the State-level convention of Ayyappa Guruswamis held at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram in Vijayawada. Guruswamis from across Andhra Pradesh brought to his notice several problems faced by devotees during the Sabarimala pilgrimage, including inadequate medical assistance and lack of basic facilities. Madhav said an action plan would be initiated immediately to address these issues during the pilgrimage season from November 15 to January 20.
Madhav demanded that an effective institutional mechanism on the lines of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) be established at Sabarimala to ensure better management of the shrine and comprehensive facilities for devotees. He said the system should provide for accommodation, drinking water, annadanam, medical care, transportation and other pilgrim services. Information and medical centres should be established in the Pamba-Nilakkal-Sannidhanam areas, he added.
He said the Kerala government should allocate land for the construction of shelters and facilitate organisations and individuals willing to provide annadanam and other services to devotees.
Madhav also said he would approach the Centre for additional trains and special services from the Telugu States to Sabarimala during the Ayyappa season. The Andhra Pradesh government would be urged to ensure adequate bus services, prevent excessive fare increases and consider concessions for pilgrims.
He further alleged that attempts were being made to exploit the temple’s assets, including its gold, and said the sanctity and unique traditions of Sabarimala must be protected.
He urged the Andhra Pradesh coalition government to join the legal proceedings being pursued by the Centre on Sabarimala-related issues, if necessary.
Madhav said the BJP would collect problems directly from Guruswamis and take them up with the Kerala, Central and Andhra Pradesh governments. He said efforts would be made to find permanent solutions to the major problems faced by devotees within the next year.