MHA asks Andhra govt to take note of security lapses at Tirumala temple

Tirupati: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked the Andhra Pradesh government to look into security lapses at the Tirumala temple.

This action comes after a complaint was submitted by YSRCP MP from Tirupati constituency, Maddila Gurumoorthy regarding repeated safety concerns at the holy site.

In a letter dated April 17, 2025, the Ministry forwarded the MP’s concerns to the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh. The letter requests the state government to examine the issue seriously.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the MP raised concerns over recurring security lapses at Tirumala, which have not only ‘caused distress among devotees but have also severely compromised the sanctity of Lord Venkateswara Swamy’s sacred abode.’

He alleged that the failure of the present TTD administration, appointed by the TDP government, to implement robust security measures has led to grave consequences, endangering devotees and the overall security framework of the pilgrimage site.

In the letter, the MP mentioned the stampede that occurred on January 8 in Tirupati, ahead of Vaikunta Ekadasi, that resulted in the loss of six lives and left 50 devotees injured. “The absence of a dedicated security head has significantly undermined security effectiveness, while poor coordination among multiple agencies for Tirumala’s security has exacerbated the issue. Recent incidents at Alipiri and Tirumala highlighted the urgent need for immediate and comprehensive action,” he mentioned in the letter.

The Home Ministry took note of the concerns raised and emphasized the importance of maintaining safety at one of India’s most visited and sacred pilgrimage centers. The responsibility now lies with the state government to respond and take necessary action to improve security arrangements in Tirumala.

Incidents highlighted by the MP:

1. Annadanam queue stampede-like situation: A stampede occurred due to inadequate crowd control measures in the Annadanam queue, endangering countless devotees.

2. January 20 incident: A group of devotees managed to pass through the high-security zone at Alipiri with non-vegetarian food, including ‘egg biryanis,’ which were later consumed at Tirumala, violating the sanctity of the temple town.

3. Unlawful entry with prohibited items: In March, back-to-back instances were reported where unauthorised hawkers sneaked through the Alipiri checkpoint carrying prohibited substances such as alcohol and ganja.

4. Papavinasanam Dam incident: In the final week of March, forest department officials were found canoeing in the sacred Papavinasanam dam waters without the knowledge of TTD authorities.

5. March 31 security breach: On March 31, a mentally unstable person bypassed the Alipiri checkpoint on his motorbike and was only intercepted after reaching Tirumala, having travelled alone