Hyderabad: Veteran Journalist MVR Sastry dedicates his book to Chilkur Balaji

the author questions the role of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) trust board and the Executive Officer as the custodian of Tirumala and concluded that they cannot assume the role of ‘the owner’ by quoting judgments.

Hyderabad: Veteran Journalist MVR Sastry dedicated his latest book “Devudunnadu Jagratha” to the Chilkur Balaji at a simple ceremony on Wednesday. He presented a copy of the book to MV Soundarajan, the 89-year-old Arachaka Sastry, who led the archaka community in a fight against 1987 legislation.

Speaking on the occasion, Sastry called upon the historians to ensure that the ‘historical anomalies’ pertaining to the Tirumala temple, which crept into the documents over a period of time, are removed promptly.He discussed the contents of his 25th publication.

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He also  recollected the services of Dr M V Soundararajan since 1983 and his fight against elements trying to destroy Temple system. While handing over the first copy to the 89 years old Archaka Sastry reminded the devotees about the devasted Archaka community and how Soundararajan led them to fight against 1987 Legislation.

Referring to the scores of contentious practices followed at the Tirumala temple, he said some of them had been abandoned, while some assumed a modified form over a period of time, and sought to set the record straight.

In the chapter “Asalu Boss Evaru?” (Who is the actual boss?), the author questioned the role of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) trust board and the Executive Officer as the custodian of Tirumala and concluded that they cannot assume the role of ‘the owner’ by quoting judgments.

“After painstaking research, I have brought out several facts in this book and it is for the young crop of journalists and readers to carry the baton forward in spreading the truth. I am ready for a debate any time and anywhere on the issues raised in this book,” he stated.

The program was conducted in Chilkur Balaji Temple.