Atonement: Pawan Kalyan Holds Cleanliness Drive at Durga Temple in Vijayawada

Hyderabad: AP Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has launched an atonement fast in the wake of the Tirumala laddu adulteration incident. As part of this, he conducted a cleanliness drive at Kanakadurga temple on Indrakeeladri here on Tuesday. The stairs at the temple were cleaned by him and the stairs were painted with yellow and saffron colours. The event was organised by Pawan Kalyan amidst chanting of mantras by Vedic scholars.

Speaking after the event, Pawan Kalyan reacted on the comments made by actor Prakash Raj on the Tirupati laddu adulteration incident. He questioned what was the relation of Prakash Raj when he spoke about Hindus. “I talked about impurity in a Hindu temple. What is Prakash Raj's connection with this? Did I blame another religion? Have I spoken anything wrong about Islam and Christianity?

“There was desecration in Tirupati. How can it be wrong to say that this should not happen? Shouldn't you talk if something goes wrong? Don't talk if the idols of the deities are beheaded. What's going crazy for each one of them. Who are you talking about? I have respect for Prakash Raj. Should I not speak when there is impurity to the dharma I follow,” Pawan Kalyan said. He alleged that some people were speaking at will on sanatana dharma. “Can you speak on Islam? Can you talk about Jesus?” he asked.

Actor Prakash Raj took to Twitter to express his views on the laddu controversy in Tirupati. He also mentioned the name of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. “This is an incident that happened in a State where you are the deputy chief minister. Investigate and take action against the culprits. Why are you creating unnecessary fears and making it discussed at the national level? The existing religious tensions in our country are enough. Thank you to your friends at the Centre," Prakash Raj tweeted. However, actor and MAA president Manchu Vishnu reacted sharply to Prakash Raj's post.