hat is secularism? This means that nobody while in office or elsewhere displaying his official identity indicates allegiance to any religion or faith. Religion is a personal matter not connected with office.

But when a minister gets VIP treatment at a religious place- temple or shrine, he does so using his official position. Apart from other objections, this goes against secularism. If his visit to the religious place is personal, he must not be given any privilege like 'special darshan'. Otherwise, his visit is official and he is guilty of breaking the norm of secularism in utter breach of secularism which is basis of our constitution.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/stop-vip-darshans-at-religious-shrines-cong-official/1/296756.html

hat is secularism? This means that nobody while in office or elsewhere displaying his official identity indicates allegiance to any religion or faith. Religion is a personal matter not connected with office.

But when a minister gets VIP treatment at a religious place- temple or shrine, he does so using his official position. Apart from other objections, this goes against secularism. If his visit to the religious place is personal, he must not be given any privilege like 'special darshan'. Otherwise, his visit is official and he is guilty of breaking the norm of secularism in utter breach of secularism which is basis of our constitution.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/stop-vip-darshans-at-religious-shrines-cong-official/1/296756.html

I agree, when we went to Tirupathy, we had paid Rs 1000 per person for a special darshan in the morning but had to wait for 4 hours because some politicians and celebrities were there, if so, why not let them see the lo9rd along with the others ? I decided then and there never to visit any VIP temples in the future and waste my precious time...

Tirupati has an income of an average 3 crores per day. All our pilgrim centers are business centers. I’m the last person to pay money just to see and deceive myself an image carved out of stone that was made by a man.

Tirupati has an income of an average 3 crores per day. All our pilgrim centers are business centers. I’m the last person to pay money just to see and deceive myself an image carved out of stone that was made by a man.

I fully support your views. However even the idol or image worshipers have a right to their views and live as they do. B ut the issue is why the VIPs should visit there with VIP tag and get privileged treatment misusing their official position although religion is a personal matter and linking official status with that is grossly nonsecular. I remember that first P.M. Nehru had advised President Rajendra Prasad to avoid all such visits to religious places during the period of his presidential tenure. .

Tirupati has an income of an average 3 crores per day. All our pilgrim centers are business centers. I’m the last person to pay money just to see and deceive myself an image carved out of stone that was made by a man.

Tirupati has an income of an average 3 crores per day. All our pilgrim centers are business centers. I’m the last person to pay money just to see and deceive myself an image carved out of stone that was made by a man.

We went to this holy place way back when Darshan ('ticket') rates were like 1.25, 5, 11, 101 etc or a general gate. We waited at general gate for almost 5-6 hours but the line did not move. We simply had a stroll in the premises where laddos were available and head shave was full on. That was what and how we managed Trupathi Darshan. The fact is every where is same in big temples, if you have money to pay you can enter through backlines or you have to be big government official, actor or political leader to enjoy priority. Yes big moneyed people included as well in that elite list. In turn priests of these temple given priorities in worldly matters. Give and take mates.

Tirupati has an income of an average 3 crores per day. All our pilgrim centers are business centers. I’m the last person to pay money just to see and deceive myself an image carved out of stone that was made by a man.

We went to this holy place way back when Darshan ('ticket') rates were like 1.25, 5, 11, 101 etc or a general gate. We waited at general gate for almost 5-6 hours but the line did not move. We simply had a stroll in the premises where laddos were available and head shave was full on. That was what and how we managed Trupathi Darshan. The fact is every where is same in big temples, if you have money to pay you can enter through backlines or you have to be big government official, actor or political leader to enjoy priority. Yes big moneyed people included as well in that elite list. In turn priest of these temple given priorities in worldly matters. Give and take mates.

Tirupati has an income of an average 3 crores per day. All our pilgrim centers are business centers. I’m the last person to pay money just to see and deceive myself an image carved out of stone that was made by a man.

We went to this holy place way back when Darshan ('ticket') rates were like 1.25, 5, 11, 101 etc or a general gate. We waited at general gate for almost 5-6 hours but the line did not move. We simply had a stroll in the premises where laddos were available and head shave was full on. That was what and how we managed Trupathi Darshan. The fact is every where is same in big temples, if you have money to pay you can enter through backlines or you have to be big government official, actor or political leader to enjoy priority. Yes big moneyed people included as well in that elite list. In turn priest of these temple given priorities in worldly matters. Give and take mates.

The tradition of collecting fees for a Darshan is of recent origin in Tirupati. Earlier it was only during Brahmostavas devotees used to go to Tirupati.And Darshans were free for all.