The latest order issued by YSR Congress party government headed by chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy restoring hereditary priesthood in temples and removal of upper age limit for priests for retirement was hailed as a historic decision by the Brahmin community, particularly archakas.
However, it was a bit of disappointment for former chief priest of famed Lord Venkateshwara temple of Tirumala V Ramana Deekshitulu.
Reason: the GO issued on Monday clearly said doing away of the retirement age for temple priests and restoration of hereditary “archakatvam” (priesthood) is applicable to all the other temples, except Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, which has its own set of rules.
Ramana Deekshitulu was forced to retire by the previous Telugu Desam Party government on attainment of superannuation, along with three others, after he made sensational allegations against the then chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on missing jewellery. Subsequently, he made serious charges against the TDP.
After Jagan came to power in May this year, Ramana Deekshitulu met him and requested him to restore his post in the Tirumala temple.
The chief minister then assured that he would revoke the order on implementing rule of superannuation in temples, as priesthood is a hereditary post.
Jagan fulfilled his promise by issuing the order on Monday, but exempted the TTD from the changed rules.
It would mean, the retirement age will continue to apply for the Tirumala priests and they cannot transfer the priesthood hereditarily to their next generations.
It is not exactly known whether Ramana Deekshitulu would be given any honorary posts or the TTD will issue a separate order on the retirement and hereditary issues.
For now, it is a disappointment for Deekshitulu!
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