Explosive Allegations Rock Tirupati Temple: BJP Claims Rs 100 Crore Parakamani Scam Under Jagan Reddy's Watch

An unprecedented storm of controversy has engulfed the revered Tirupati Balaji Temple, one of India's most sacred and wealthiest pilgrimage sites. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has leveled explosive allegations against the ruling YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh, headed by Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, claiming a colossal Rs 100 crore 'Parakamani' scam related to the temple's hundi collections.

The 'Parakamani' refers to the process of counting the immense offerings made by millions of devotees in the temple's hundi (donation box).

BJP leaders, including national spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao, state general secretary Vishnuvardhan Reddy, and Tirupati district president Bhanuprakash Reddy, assert that this sacred practice has been systematically compromised, leading to massive misappropriation of funds intended for Lord Venkateswara.

At the heart of the allegations lies a crucial change in the traditional hundi counting procedure.

Historically, these offerings were meticulously counted in the presence of devotees and members of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board, ensuring transparency and accountability. However, the BJP claims that the Jagan Reddy government dismantled this time-honored practice, replacing it with a new system where only contract workers are entrusted with the counting process.

This shift, according to the BJP, has created a fertile ground for pilferage and corruption, allowing an estimated Rs 100 crore to be siphoned off from devotee donations.

Outraged by what they perceive as a grave assault on the sanctity of the temple and the faith of millions, the BJP is vociferously demanding a thorough investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

They also call for the immediate public disclosure of all hundi collection details, emphasizing the need for absolute transparency to restore public trust. The party insists that such a significant alleged financial irregularity, particularly involving sacred offerings, cannot be overlooked.

Beyond the 'Parakamani' scam, the BJP has also broadened its attack on the YSRCP government's administration of the TTD.

They have raised concerns about the alleged appointment of "non-Hindus" to the TTD board, which oversees the temple's affairs, and have also highlighted controversies surrounding the alleged sale of TTD properties. These issues, they argue, collectively undermine the religious ethos and integrity of the holy institution.

In response to these serious accusations, TTD Executive Officer Dharma Reddy had previously dismissed the claims of a scam, asserting that the hundi collections are counted with utmost transparency and under strict supervision.

He stated that the counting process involves multiple levels of TTD staff, vigilance personnel, and is continuously monitored by CCTV cameras, ensuring that every donation is accounted for and handled with integrity.

Despite the TTD's assurances, the BJP remains unswayed, intensifying its political pressure on the YSRCP government.

The unfolding controversy threatens to cast a long shadow over the administration of one of the world's most visited religious sites, raising fundamental questions about governance, transparency, and the protection of religious endowments in Andhra Pradesh. Devotees and political observers alike await further developments in this high-stakes battle over faith and funds.