The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Saturday withdrew a letter in which it had proposed to take over the Lord Venkateshwara temple in Tirumala immediately after it caused a stir. However, within hours she sent another letter stating that the earlier letter was written inadvertently and was being withdrawn. Soon after receiving the letter, the state government lodged a strong protest, expressing apprehensions that the Centre was trying to directly control the temple. State deputy chief minister K E Krishnamurthy said any decision on Tirumala temple should be taken keeping in view the sentiments of the devotees. BJP MP and spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao tweeted, “Minister of Culture, Govt of India (GoI) told me there is no question of GoI taking over Tirumala/ TTD or any temples or mosques.

Source: Hindustan Times May 06, 2018 04:26 UTC