Amidst furore over alleged Christian missionary activity in and around the popular Tirumala shrine, the Andhra Pradesh government on Friday promulgated an ordinance prohibiting the propagation of other religions in notified places of worship.
“The ordinance empowers the government to prohibit the propagation of religions other than the one that is traditionally practised at the notified place,” Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy said.
Tirumala shrine is the abode of Lord Venkateshwara and attracts millions of pilgrims each year.
The government issued a notification after Governor Rameshwar Thakur promulgated the “AP Propagation of Other Religions in the Places of Worship or Prayer (Prohibition) Ordinance, 2007.” A bill to this effect will be introduced in the next session of the Assembly, Mr Reddy said.
“Such incidents (propagation of religion) were reported from the world renowned ancient temple like Tirumala and there were strong protests.
“The government perceives them as unwarranted intrusion into one religious group’s domain which could potentially disturb public order. The ordinance was aimed at ensuring that religious sentiments were not hurt and public order was not disturbed,” an official statement said.
A separate Government Order said all the seven hills and ten theerthas falling under the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam limits will come under the purview of Tirumala Divya Kshetram.
“Our government is committed to protecting the religious sentiments of people and sanctity of their shrines,” the Chief Minister said.
The state Cabinet had on April 27 decided to promulgate the ordinance that contains punitive measures for violators, including prison terms of up to three years and imposition of fines.
Doors closed
* Ban follows criticism by Hindu religious heads over propagation of other religions on Tirumala hills
*Ordinance makes it clear that all seven hills form part of the temple
* Some people were claiming that the jurisdiction of the temple was confined to two hills.
* Ordinance covers 19 other major Hindu temples in the state
http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jun92007/scroll200706096514.asp?section=frontpagenews
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