Swami Srinivasananda Saraswati, president of the Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad, has welcomed the decisions taken by Tamil Nadu chief minister Joseph Vijay regarding the administration of Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu.
Addressing the media, Srinivasananda Saraswati praised the Tamil Nadu government's decision to ensure that revenue generated from Hindu temples is used exclusively for temple-related purposes, including infrastructure development, facilities for devotees and the welfare of priests.
He urged the governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to adopt a similar policy and prevent temple revenues from being diverted to non-temple purposes.
According to him, the Tamil Nadu government has initiated measures to audit and digitise temple lands, assets and income under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.
He also referred to the reported decision to discontinue commercial projects, including shopping complexes and function halls, that were proposed using temple funds during the previous government, saying such resources should instead be utilised solely for temple development and religious activities.
Srinivasananda Saraswati appealed to the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to implement similar reforms in the Telugu-speaking states, arguing that temple revenues should remain dedicated to preserving and strengthening religious institutions.
The religious leader also levelled allegations that certain individuals were attempting to create communal discord in Andhra Pradesh.
He accused lawyer Jada Sravan Kumar, YouTuber Prashna Raavan and actor Prakash Raj of making statements offensive to Hindu beliefs.
He further alleged that the YSR Congress Party was extending legal support to individuals accused of acting against Hindu interests and claimed that the party was part of a broader conspiracy against the Hindu community.
He further alleged that during the previous government, individuals raising concerns over irregularities in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) had themselves become targets.
