Why should Govt. wield power over Tirumala, asks Swami Swarupananda

Why should the State government wield powers over Tirumala, Swami Swarupananda of Visakhapatnam questioned on Saturday. Just by issuing gazette notifications, the State and Central governments were ruling over temples in the country. In a series of charges, he alleged that the government was doing as it pleased with the temple lands. Only yesterday there were charges that the temple lands in Chennai belonging to the Amareshwara temple in Amaravati were sold for a song by the TDP government. The Swami did not specifically talk about the Chennai lands, but obviously he was reacting on the issue. He did not spare the BJP either, saying its heavy handedness in regard to temples should be curbed. The godman said he had the responsibility for the protection of temple lands. The Swami's questioning the government wielding power over the Srivari temple is a very serious matter concerning all.