Legislators from the All India Majlis e Ittehadul Muslimeen are helping Hindu devotees secure special darshan slots at the Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
The development comes after Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy wrote to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in December 2024, requesting that the old system of honouring recommendation letters from Telangana MPs, MLAs and MLCs for special access at Tirumala be restored. Responding positively, Naidu directed the TTD board to accept such letters, easing access for devotees from Telangana who often face long waiting periods.
Under the revised arrangement, each Telangana legislator is allotted one VIP break darshan letter with accommodation for Mondays and Tuesdays, and one Special Entry Darshan letter for Wednesdays and Thursdays. Each letter can cover up to six persons from the same family, relatives or friends. The temple charges Rs 600 per person for VIP break darshan and Rs 300 for Special Entry Darshan.
With demand for darshan at Tirumala often stretching two to three months in advance, many devotees have been approaching legislators for assistance. Interestingly, AIMIM legislators representing Muslim majority constituencies in Hyderabad are among those issuing these recommendation letters to Hindu devotees without discrimination.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has directed his party’s seven MLAs and two MLCs to treat the issuance of darshan letters as a public duty. According to party leaders, devotees are being assisted irrespective of religion or constituency, subject to the availability of slots.
Karwan MLA Kausar Mohiuddin said that his quota has already been booked till June. He noted that not only people from his constituency but also from neighbouring districts and even other states have approached him for TTD referral letters due to the high demand.
AIMIM MLC Mirza Riyazul Hassan Effendi said, “We respect all religions and issue darshan letters to those who approach us, whether they are from our constituency or from elsewhere. If slots are available on the requested date, our staff checks online and processes the letter. If not, we ask them to choose another available date.”
Leaders from other parties are also witnessing heavy demand. Congress MLC Addanki Dayakar’s quota is reportedly filled till early May, with people from various districts approaching him for help.
Several local residents said the arrangement has not only reduced the waiting burden for devotees but has also sent out a message of social harmony.
