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The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), custodian of the revered Tirumala Hills, has issued a sharp rebuttal to allegations made by former TTD Chairman and YSRCP leader Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, dismissing his charges as “factually incorrect” and “deeply insensitive to the sentiments of devotees.”

At the heart of the dispute is a 20-acre land parcel at Alipiri, initially allotted to Oberoi Hotels by the Tourism Department in November 2021. Situated at the foothills of Tirumala, the allotment drew criticism from devotees and spiritual leaders, who considered it an encroachment on sacred land.

🛑 TTD’s Clarification and Timeline of Events

In its detailed statement, TTD stressed that the land swap was undertaken to protect the sanctity of the seven sacred hills and prevent commercial activities from infiltrating the precincts.

Key Timeline:

• Nov 18, 2024: TTD passed Resolution No. 102, urging the government to reassign the Alipiri land to TTD instead of Oberoi Hotels.
• Mar 21, 2025: CM N. Chandrababu Naidu declared that no non-devotional activities would be allowed within Tirumala precincts.
• May 7, 2025: TTD passed Resolution No. 250 consenting to the exchange of land.
• Jul 22, 2025: Resolution No. 385 approved transferring southern land to the Tourism Department in exchange for the northern parcel adjacent to Tirumala Hill.

TTD emphasised that the northern parcel, now under its control, will be developed to enhance facilities for pilgrims—including amenities, infrastructure, and devotional services.

🔥 Political Firestorm and Accusations

Former Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy has alleged that the swap was effectively a ₹1,500 crore “giveaway” to Oberoi Hotels, branding it a “premeditated act of plunder” and a “direct assault on Hindu Dharma.” He argued that the process lacked transparency and was rushed through without adequate consultation.

Current Chairman B.R. Naidu rejected these claims outright, calling them politically motivated. He accused Reddy of dragging the institution into unnecessary controversy and pointed to irregularities during Reddy’s own tenure as undermining his credibility.

“All resolutions were taken transparently and in consultation with relevant authorities,” Naidu said, urging critics not to politicise temple affairs.

🕉️ Devotee Sentiment and Institutional Integrity

In its release, TTD reiterated that the land exchange is not commercial but a devotee-centric safeguard.

“Given the facts, it is not appropriate to make allegations on this issue which is linked to the sentiments of devotees,” the board said.

Devotees and religious leaders have since appealed to political leaders to avoid exploiting Tirumala’s spiritual legacy for electoral gain, emphasising that the temple’s sanctity must remain above partisan politics.

With inquiries ongoing into financial decisions made under previous administrations, Tirumala’s governance remains under close public scrutiny—underscoring the fine line between temple tradition and political turbulence.

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