There were allegations that Ex CM YS Rajasekhar Reddy tried hard to interfere with the administration of temples at that time. At one point of time, he faced severe criticism for alleged attempts to reduce the jurisdiction of TTD to only two out of the Seven Hills. Following in his footsteps, YSR son Jaganmohan Reddy has also begun interfering with the Hindu temples. The latest law passed by his government is expected to trigger needless controversies surrounding the temple trust boards.

The reservation of 50 per cent posts on the trust boards for the SC, ST and BC communities is being seen as a deep-rooted conspiracy. Already, the YCP boss is being accused of plotting to encourage conversions in order to ensure sure-shot victory of his party in 2023 Jamili One Nation One Election.

The BJP AP leaders are literally shocked at Jagan’s latest law. However, they are preferring to remain silent since any comment may send wrong signal to the weaker sections voters. The tricky part is that above 90 per cent of the SC and STs are religious converts. But vast majority of them remain as Hindus on record for enjoying the SC, ST reservations. There will be heartburn if such persons are present in big numbers on temple trust boards.