Tirupati, 5 September 2025: Hindu Chaitanya Vedika has submitted a formal complaint to Dr. S. Venkateswar, Tirupati District Collector, on September 4, urging authorities not to permit the proposed Tablighi Ijtema congregation scheduled for 12–14 September at Agarala village in Chandragiri mandal.
In its representation, the organisation stated: “Tirupati is a globally renowned Hindu spiritual centre where thousands of devotees visit daily. Allowing a controversial gathering of this nature near such a sacred place would damage the spiritual atmosphere and pose a grave threat to peace and security.”
The Vedika highlighted five key concerns in its petition:
Banned in Saudi Arabia: The letter recalled that Saudi Arabia, “a complete Islamic nation, banned Tablighi Jamaat, calling it a ‘gateway to terrorism.’” It noted that Saudi authorities had issued warnings against joining the group, while its former Grand Mufti had issued a fatwa in 2016.
International Prohibition: The group stressed that “several countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan banned Tablighi Jamaat due to its terrorist links and spread of religious extremism.” Permitting such a congregation in Tirupati district, it warned, could be a “serious threat to public peace and safety.”
Links with Terror Groups: The Hindu group cited global reports that the movement has been “exploited by radical networks.” It referred to 9/11 and other cases:
“The ‘shoe bomber’ Richard Reid and American John Walker Lindh, who was captured fighting alongside Taliban militants, had both spent time with Tablighi circles.”
It also warned of the group’s strong links with the Deobandi school of Islam, which shares ideological ground with the Taliban.
Threat to Tirupati’s Sanctity: Highlighting the spiritual significance of the holy town, the Vedika stated: “Tirupati is a world-famous Hindu spiritual centre. Holding such controversial meetings near this sacred area will harm its sanctity and disturb the spiritual environment.”
Security Risks of Mass Gathering: The representation noted that an estimated 7,000–8,000 participants were expected, leading to “security challenges, traffic issues, and potential social tensions.”
While clarifying that the organisation respects all faiths, the Vedika underlined: “We are not against the personal faith of Muslims. But large gatherings of banned and controversial organisations near spiritual centres inevitably lead to social divisions and security problems.”
Speaking to Organiser, Kumara Swamy, Secretary of Hindu Chaitanya Vedika, Tirupati District, said, “Tirupati is a sacred pilgrimage centre, and holding large-scale Tablighi Ijtema-type gatherings in the district, particularly near spiritual centres, would be highly inappropriate. We therefore appeal for the cancellation of the permission already applied for this meeting and urge the administration to take immediate steps to safeguard the sanctity of Tirupati, maintain public peace, and ensure the district’s security.”
On September 4, the committee of Ahle Sunnath Wal Jamath Lababeen Jamia Masjid Trust, Tirupati, announced its proposal to organise a ‘Tabligh’ Izithima on 13th and 14th September 2025 at Agalarala village in Chandragiri mandal, expecting a gathering of 7,000 to 8,000 people.
He also added that Tirupati, the holiest Hindu pilgrim centre, has long been a target of Islamic and Christian forces seeking demographic change. From attempts to build luxury hotels near the sacred hills to allegations of Christian interference during YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure, every move reflects a gradual design to infiltrate and claim access to Hindu sacred spaces, often aided by political ecosystems. The proposed Tablighi Ijtema in this region must be seen as part of this larger pattern, not an isolated event.
