TTD plan for Sanatana Dharma: Set up conversion centre, build and revive temples, train ‘dharma pracharaks’

Considering the unanimous opinion of many pontiffs, TTD chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy — a YSRCP MLA from Tirupati appointed to the post by party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy August last year — announced various activities to be taken up by the TTD.

These include training “dharma pracharaks” to advocate the religion, establishing religious conversion centres for those who wish to return to or embrace Hinduism, and the revival of dilapidated temples and construction of new ones in tribal areas.

The event comes close to the Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections in April-May this year.

It also comes against the backdrop of Jagan facing criticism for his practice of the Christian religion and alleged encouragement to conversions by the TDP, the Jana Sena, and the BJP.

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Conversion centres, purana distribution

One of the major resolutions was the setting up of a religious conversion centre soon in Tirupati.

“If people of other religious faiths voluntarily come forward to practise Hinduism, they will be welcomed to the Hindu way of life and trained in Hindu rituals, traditions, and practices that are taught in Hindu Sanatana Dharma,” said Karunakar Reddy.

“This programme will be initiated at the Lotus feet of Sri Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala,” he asserted amidst applause from the pontiffs who participated in the Dharmika Sadassu.

This is the first of its kind, and nowhere in the country or the world is a centre available for people of other religions to convert to Hinduism, said the chairman.

Upon requests from the seers and pontiffs, the TTD also accepted a proposal to distribute itihasas and puranas.

“We should also inform the coming generations about the basic things related to our Sanatana Dharma like puranas, Mahabharata, and Ramayana. We should take our culture to every village and train the people there to walk in a good way,” said Emberumaanar Jeeyar Swamy from the Alwar Thirunagari temple in Tamil Nadu on the second day of the conclave, as per the official website of TTD.

With even the pontiffs and seers echoing similar sentiments, the TTD accepted the resolution, which reads, “Itihasas and puranas should be propagated in such a way that all sections of the people, from children to adults, easily understand the essence. For this, there is also a need to train dharma pracharaks.”

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Tribal temples and cow care

“So far, as many as 3,600 temples have been constructed and rejuvenated under the TTD, under the aegis of the Sri Vani Trust,” claimed Karunakar Reddy.

The resolution added that religious activities in Harijanawadas and Girijanawadas (Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe areas) must be undertaken widely to prevent conversions and propagate the religion.

“The discriminatory attitude of some people towards certain castes has led to religious conversions, especially in rural areas. Suitable measures are needed to prevent them,” remarked Karunakar Reddy, highlighting that everyone should unite to address the issue, with the TTD taking the lead.

“Many temples in several areas are crying for rejuvenation, and it is important to rejuvenate thousands of such temples to protect and serve the interests of the religion and traditions. Also, it is very important to construct new temples in the Scheduled and Tribal areas,” he added.

Chilkur Balaji temple chief priest MV Soundararajan said, “Priests should be made partners in the protection of Sanatana Dharma in existing temples. A proper explanation of the essence of our Hindu Dharma should be taught to the lower classes.”

He wanted priority given to the lower classes “as per the legend of Mala Haridasu Sthala Purana in the Vontimitta Sri Kodandarama Temple,” and Namana Sankirtana and Bhajan programmes expanded.

The conclave’s resolution also addressed the protection of cows and raised concerns about anti-religious propaganda by vested interest groups on social media.

The chairman said the conference “decided to conduct extensive training programmes to increase self-confidence in the Hindu community because physical strength is as necessary for a person’s self-confidence as mental strength to withstand ups and downs.