In 2007, the government of Andhra Pradesh banned the propagation of other religions in the holy places of Hindus across the state. The authorities said the move is to ensure that Hindu sentiments in holy places are not offended.

Chief Minister Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy told a news conference that his government issued an ordinance on June 2, 2007, in this regard, and the order comes into effect immediately. The ordinance also recognized the jurisdiction of Lord Venkateshwara, popularly known as "Lord of the Seven Hills," and declared the seven hills surrounding the temple a place of worship, thereby banning all political activities, including local body polls.

The ordinance promulgated by the state Governor, Rameshwar Thakuar, came into effect immediately in Tirumala. ‘Vatican for Hindus’ Experts say the move is a major development which will be far-reaching. The ordinance also affects seven areas surrounding Tirumala, covering more than 10,000 acres and 20 Hindu religious places. It empowers the state government to prohibit the propagation of religion in places of worship or prayer other than the religion traditionally practiced at such places. In another equally significant move, the state government has accorded special status to the area around Tirumala as a place of religious importance.

G. O 746 issued on June 2, 2007, says the Government of Andhra Pradesh has decided that “the sanctity of the Seven hills and the Temple of Lord Venkateswara need to be preserved as a unique religious area where the Hindu traditions shall be preserved and allowed to be nurtured as they have continuously been over the last two millennia. In order to achieve this objective, it has been felt appropriate to accord to all the Seven Hills and the Temple Town of Tirumala a special status as a place of religious importance by giving it a special dispensation and nomenclature," Reddy said.

The area of the “Vatican for Hindus” includes all seven hills, “ including the foothills from Alipiri, and covering all the roads, footpaths leading to the temple of Lord Venkateswara, more specifically, the pathways leading to the Tirumala village from Chandragiri side beginning with the Devasthanam near Chandragiri mettu known as Srivari Mettu, from Balapalli beginning with Chittoor District border, the motorable road leading from Tirupati to Tirumala … and motorable road from Tirumala to Papavinasanam.”

Let us look at what the Andhra Pradesh government has done over the last 20 years to undermine the sanctity of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam.

• Right to Information Act does not apply to TTD, even though it is totally controlled by the government.
• Sri Vani Funds are unaccounted for since its introduction. Supposed to construct Hindu Temples in villages. Requests to obtain the list of Temples, either constructed or under construction, have not been answered for the last four years.
• Stopped the construction of Mumtaj Hotel at the footsteps of Seven Hills. How did the construction of Mumtaj Hotel preserve the sanctity of TTD? GHHF and other Hindu organizations fought vehemently until it was stopped.
• A strong position is taken to cancel the permission to build Lulu Mall in Tirupati. Written letters to the effect that the construction of Lulu Mall will result in the election of a Muslim Mayor.
• Stopped Tablighi Jamaat, where 10,000 Muslims were to hold meetings in Tirupati. GHHF and many other Hindu organizations joined hands to get it cancelled.
• Suggested ways to identify 4000 Crypto Christians working at TTD. However, TTD is failing to identify and remove those who may be working against Lord Venkateswara.
• So far, TTD has not come up with several non-Hindus working at TTD.  How many are working?
• Request to demolish illegal structures as per the Orders of TUDA has not been answered for more than three years.
• Parakamani Case, where one of the employees was caught stealing contributions made by devotees.
• Silk Shawls scandal – The vigilance department found out that large-scale irregularities in the procurement of Silk Dappatas over a ten-year period from 2015 to 2025.
• Advocated the closing of Wine and liquor shops in Tirupati as per G.O. 746. The Executive Officer is given authority to implement this G.O.
• Adulteration of precious Laddus with animal fat and other chemicals is being examined by TTD, and it is requested to take appropriate legal action against the culprits at the earliest.
• Funding of Educational Institutions to teach about the secularism curriculum was questioned, and it was suggested that TTD should require all the funded educational institutions to teach at least two courses on Hinduism.
•  Advocating the transfer of TTD lands to government lands
•  No action has been taken against individuals who refused to sign the Declaration, saying that they believe in Balaji.
•  Advocating for the identity of all the illegal structures across the State. The Global Hindu Heritage Foundation obtained a G.O. from TUDA in July 2022 to demolish Illegal structures.  No action has been taken so far.
• TTD funds should be used only for the pilgrims’ facilities, accommodation, and transportation.
• No TTD money should be used for public sanitation, public roads, public buildings, etc.
• No TTD money should be transferred to the government treasury.

There are several such sacrilegious activities undertaken by successive Andhra Pradesh governments, ruining the sanctity of TTD to please the minorities, failing to identify non-Hindus working at Balaji Temple, undertaking projects contrary to the sanctity of TTD, and encouraging non-Hindu groups to engage in the commercialization of Tirupati

What is the solution to make TTD a sacred place?

              GHHF has taken a position to declare Tirumala, Tirupati, and Tiruchanur as a Divya/Punya Kshetra like Mecca for Muslims and the Vatican for Christians. All non-Hindu structures must be relocated beyond a 20-kilometer boundary. Fair market value will be given to all non-Hindu structures, houses, shops, etc., meat and liquor shops, etc.

              TTD should honor the McKenzie report, published in 1801, which identified 250 square miles of the sacred land of TTD, rather than the about 25.7 square kilometers presently recognized.

           Dear FRIENDS: Please visit our website to find even more information about passion and commitment to preserve the sanctity of TTD and other Temples.

                          www.savetemples.org