The tragic stampede at the Tirupati Temple, which claimed six lives and injured 40 others, has sparked sharp criticism of the Chandrababu Naidu-led Andhra Pradesh government. Opposition leaders and former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman Bhuma Karunakar Reddy have held the government accountable for the incident, citing administrative failure and lack of preparation.
Bhuma Karunakar Reddy expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and questioned the inadequate arrangements for Vaikuntha Ekadashi vaDarshan, an event that draws lakhs of devotees annually. He alleged that TTD had been turned into a political hub under the ruling government, compromising the sanctity of Lord Venkateswara’s temple and neglecting devotees’ welfare.
Reddy pointed to the absence of proper coordination among officials and accused the Tirupati Superintendent of Police (SP) of acting like a TDP party worker rather than prioritizing the safety of devotees. He also criticized the TTD Chairman for focusing on political propaganda instead of serving devotees.
Reddy demanded an investigation into allegations of ticket mismanagement and called for accountability from the TTD Chairman, local SP, and other responsible officials. “The government must take full responsibility for this tragedy and apologize to the devotees of Lord Venkateswara,” he said.
Former Endowments Minister Velampalli Srinivas also held the government accountable for its failure to manage the event. He noted that the Mukkoti Ekadashi is a known annual occurrence, and the influx of devotees could have been anticipated. Despite this, necessary arrangements were reportedly neglected, resulting in the stampede.
Srinivas accused the TTD Chairman of prioritizing VIP services over the welfare of ordinary devotees and criticized the TTD Executive Officer for lack of responsibility. He described the stampede as a direct consequence of government negligence and urged strict action against those responsible. Offering condolences to the families of the deceased, he called for improved facilities and safety measures for devotees.
Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed deep shock over the incident. Conveying his condolences to the bereaved families, he urged the government to provide the best medical care to the injured and take urgent steps to restore order. Jagan Mohan Reddy described the loss of lives during the token distribution as deeply saddening and called for swift corrective measures.
The Andhra Pradesh government has assured that adequate arrangements are in place for the upcoming Vaikuntha Ekadashi, scheduled from January 10 to 19 at the Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple. This sacred event allows devotees to pass through the Vaikunta Dwaram to seek Lord Venkateswara’s blessings.
Tirupati Collector S. Venkateswar confirmed that police personnel have been deployed at ticket counters, and holding areas have been prepared to manage crowds. He stated that 1.2 lakh tickets had already been sold for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam and that efforts were underway to prevent any further mishaps.
The government’s assurance comes amid public outrage and calls for accountability, as devotees and families of the victims seek justice and safety reforms.