Amaravati, Sept 28: Andhra Pradesh Congress President YS Sharmila, sister of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and daughter of former CM late YS Rajasekhara Reddy, has stirred controversy by opposing the decision of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to build 5,000 temples across SC/ST localities in the State.
Speaking to media on September 27, Sharmila questioned at Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and the TTD Board, alleging that temple construction was an “RSS agenda” and “against the spirit of the Constitution.” She accused Naidu of “fully embracing BJP’s Hindutva politics” and questioned why temples should be built in Dalit colonies.
“Who asked for 5,000 temples in Dalit localities? If TTD has surplus funds, why not spend them on Dalit welfare or hostel infrastructure?” Sharmila remarked, branding temple construction as “misuse of funds.”
చంద్రబాబు గారు @ncbn పూర్తిగా RSS వాదిగా అవతారం ఎత్తారు. బీజేపీ @BJP4India మనిషిలా మారిపోయారు. రైటిస్ట్ భావజాలాన్ని అలవర్చుకున్నారు. భారత రాజ్యాంగం బదులు RSS రాజ్యాంగాన్ని రాష్ట్రంలో అమలు చేయాలని చూస్తున్నారు. సర్వమత సమ్మేళనం లాంటి రాష్ట్రంలో ఒక మతానికే పెద్దపీట వేస్తున్నారు.… pic.twitter.com/P6nLkj8N8t
— YS Sharmila (@realyssharmila) September 27, 2025
Sharmila called the decision “discriminatory,” she urged the government to roll back the plan immediately.
Baseless and Hypocritical Arguments
Political observers note the irony of Sharmila’s stand: while she comes from a family long accused of patronising Christian missionary activities, her husband has faced allegations of being actively involved in mass conversions. Her criticism of temple construction, they argue, reeks of anti-Hindu bias.
TTD’s Decision
The TTD Board of Trustees, chaired by BR Naidu, had earlier resolved to construct 1,000 Venkateswara temples statewide—with at least six in each of the 175 Assembly constituencies. The larger plan, supported by CM Chandrababu Naidu, includes 5,000 temples particularly in SC/ST colonies to ensure spiritual and cultural empowerment of marginalised communities.
TTD and BJP Hit Back
TTD Board member Bhanu Prakash condemned Sharmila’s remarks, saying: “Her words insult Hindu sentiments and the devotees who donate selflessly to TTD. She must apologise immediately for opposing a dharmic initiative aimed at uplifting Dalit and tribal communities.”
BJP Andhra Pradesh spokesperson Sadineni Yamini Sarma went a step further, declaring: “If not 5,000, we will build 50,000 temples. Who is Sharmila to object? She is an anti-Hindu politician. If she has any courage, let her question churches about the money collected from people in the name of donations and tenth portions (dasmams). Hindu institutions don’t need lessons from her.”
🚩🚩Stop poking into Hindu funds — dare to question subsidies, haj tours, and imam salaries paid from public taxes.🚩
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With TTD’s decision to construct 5,000 temples in SC/ST colonies, a gang of so-called “secularists” and anti-Hindu loudmouths instantly began lecturing TTD…— Sadineni Yamini Sharma (@YaminiSharma_AP) September 27, 2025
K. Sahadev, a Senior Research Associate at the Centre for South Indian Studies, says that Andhra Pradesh has long been under sustained attack from evangelical forces, dating back to the Madras Presidency. Over the decades, they have institutionalised the Church and its activities across the State with unchecked expansion. Even YS Sharmila’s father, the late CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy, attempted to reduce the sacred Tirumala Hills from seven to five, drawing widespread outrage. Time and again, successive governments under his leadership granted undue favours to Christian groups, turning a blind eye to blatant violations of the law in evangelical activities, where ordinary people were systematically lured by pastors.
This trend, Sahadev points out, intensified under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, with missionary networks continuing to flourish. Today, Christianity in Andhra Pradesh has reached a dangerous level of dominance. Reports from several districts indicate a disturbing pattern: wherever Christian populations are high, organised opposition emerges against Hindu rituals and practices, dismissing them as offensive to their faith.
These repeated attacks on Hindu traditions have culminated in growing unrest. Hindus across the State are now demanding that the government step in decisively — to protect their dharmic practices, safeguard temple traditions, and put an end to the systematic undermining of Sanatana Dharma.
