Former TTD chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy defended the religious record of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, citing initiatives linked to Hindu religious institutions and Tirumala.
Tirupati: Former TTD chairman and YSRCP leader Bhumana Karunakar Reddy has rejected remarks linking former Andhra Pradesh Chief Ministers Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy with religious conversions, saying their record of work in support of Hindu religious institutions should be considered while assessing such claims.
Bhumana was responding to remarks by Andhra Jyothi Managing Director Vemuri Radhakrishna in his Kotha Paluku column. He alleged that attempts were being made to politically target Jagan by portraying him as anti-Hindu and said religion should not be used as a political tool.
The comments come amid renewed political debate in Andhra Pradesh over the religious record of successive governments and the administration of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Bhumana has made similar arguments in previous statements, including in June 2026, when he cited the establishment of the Vedic University and SVBC during YSR's tenure.
Bhumana said several initiatives associated with the YSR government demonstrated its focus on Hindu religious and cultural institutions.
He cited the establishment of Sri Venkateswara Vedic University and the launch of the Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel (SVBC), along with programmes such as Kalyanamastu, Bhajan Mandalis, Dharma Rathams, Srinivasa Kalyanams and Dalita Govindam.
Sri Venkateswara Vedic University is officially described as having been established under the Andhra Pradesh Act No. 29 of 2006 and sponsored by TTD.
Bhumana also referred to religious conferences involving Peethadhipathis and Mathadhipathis and measures undertaken during the period to protect the sanctity of Tirumala.
Referring to Jagan's tenure as Chief Minister, Bhumana cited the Srivani Trust, which undertook temple construction and renovation activities, particularly in SC, ST, BC, tribal and fishermen communities.
He also highlighted the Sri Srinivasa Divyanugraha Visesha Homam conducted at Alipiri for Lokakalyanam.
Bhumana argued that these initiatives represented documented institutional activities and should be considered alongside political allegations concerning the religious policies of the YSR and YSRCP governments.
“From Vedic University to SVBC, from Kalyanamastu to Srivani temples, these are not mere words but a record of work,” Bhumana said.
He argued that the personal religious beliefs attributed to political leaders should not be used to erase or overlook their governments' documented contributions to religious institutions.
The remarks are part of an ongoing political debate in Andhra Pradesh over the role of religion in politics and the respective records of the YSRCP and TDP governments on issues concerning Tirumala and Hindu religious institutions.
