Attack on Telugu devotee in Tiruvannamalai sparks concern in Tirupati

The attack on a Telugu person in the temple town of Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu resonated in Tirupati, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, which draws tens of thousands of devotees from across the globe every day.

Political analysts and social activists condemned the rising attacks against Telugus and warned of possible retaliation if inter‑State relations continued to deteriorate.

It may be recalled that C. Vidyasagar, a resident of Bhongir in Telangana’s Yadadri district, was brutally killed by robbers in July after refusing to pay ₹500 demanded by them. The incident became the proverbial last straw in the ongoing Telugu‑Tamil tensions in Tiruvannamalai.

Home to Lord Arunachaleswara Swamy, Tiruvannamalai is famous for its temple and the Giri Pradakshinam — circumambulation around the sacred hill. In recent years, the town has seen a surge in devotees from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, boosting local businesses. Traders began displaying Telugu signboards to attract pilgrims, drawing criticism from some local political groups. Some buses even carried the destination name as “Arunachalam” (as called by Telugus) instead of “Tiruvannamalai,” fueling tensions among fringe language groups.

Echo in Tirupati

Although the issue seemed to have subsided, tensions resurfaced when political analysts urged an end to the politicisation of religion. “We urge political parties and social groups in Tamil Nadu to stay away from politicising temples. More Tamil devotees visit Tirupati to pray to Lord Venkateswara than Telugu devotees going to Tiruvannamalai,” said political analyst Turaga Sriram.

Speaking at a press conference at the Tirupati  Press Club along with social activists Srinivasa Chowdary and Madhu Babu, Mr. Sriram said residents of Tirupati had been extending hospitality to Tamil devotees for centuries and hoped it would continue.

“Such disturbances from across the border reflect intolerance, which has no place in places of worship. They could harm inter‑State relations and affect local businesses,” he cautioned.