Non-Hindus active at Srisailam: VHP

KURNOOL: The Viswa Hindu Parishad on Wednesday said non-Hindus should not be given business and employment opportunities in the temple town of Srisailam and the legislation to this effect should be implemented in its letter and spirit.The State Hindu Religious Temples and Charitable Trusts Act of 1987 states clearly that the employment and business opportunities at and around temples should be given only to Hindus. But some of the shops are run by people of other religions and the government is not enforcing the law, said VHP district president P Mallikarjuna Reddy.Srisailam has a population of 6,000 comprising 2,000 Hindus families, 200 Muslim families and 200 Christian families.Non-Hindus are taking part in the tenders called by the devasthanam for running shops and other business activities though proxy, he alleged.During the recent bids for 70 stalls for the ensuing Brahmotsavams, non-Hindus acquired 30 percent of the stalls through proxy names, he said. Of the 400 permanent shops and establishments, nearly 40 percent are in the hands of non-Hindus, he added. Nearly 20 percent of the workforce is from other faiths, he said.Meanwhile, Srisailam Devasthanam chairman Immidisetti Koteswara Rao told reporters that they were following rules and regulations strictly.