Priests demand action against Jogulamba temple senior priest, Executive Officer

Stage protest at Endowments Commissioner’s office; allege that priest Anand Sharma was involved in various irregularities

HYDERABAD: Demanding stern action against Jogulamba Alampur temple senior priest Anand Sharma and Executive Officer Purender, temple priests and Hindu organisations staged a protest at the Endowments Commissioner’s office here on Tuesday.

The priests, under the aegis of Doopadeepa Naivedya Archaka Sangham, also submitted a representation to Endowments Minister Konda Surekha. In the representation, the temple priests alleged that Anand Sharma was involved in various irregularities. He was not following the prescribed procedures in performing pujas and other rituals at the temple, they alleged.

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Apart from working as a priest in the temple, Anand Sharma was also working as a journalist. He was not fit for performing pujas at the temple and the temple EO Purender also was supporting him, they said, alleging that as a result, temple practices were being neglected and not followed.

Demanding that Anand Sharma and Purender be removed from service, they also pointed out that a case was also booked against Anand Sharma following a complaint by Alampur MLA Vijayudu.

Speaker G Prasad Kumar had also sought a report from District Collector over the MLA’s complaint and allegations against Anand Sharma. Minister Surekha directed the Endowments Commissioner to send an inquiry committee to the temple and submit a report. She also instructed them to take serious action accordingly.