Facing severe flak from the Hindu pilgrims for the advertisements of Jerusalem and Hajj pilgrimage on Tirupati Bus tickets, the administration has responded to the criticism by withdrawing the tickets on which Jerusalem and Hajj ads were printed.

Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) on Jerusalem Ads On Tirupati Bus Tickets: Tickets withdrawn duly taking sentiments of the devotees. An enquiry has been ordered to probe into this matter&to elicit further information & to avoid recurrence of such incidents pic.twitter.com/G11Bib4G7D — ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2019

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) took cognisance of the sentiments of the people and promptly withdrew the tickets on which Hajj and Jerusalem ads were printed on the reverse side. In addition to this, the administration has also ordered an inquiry into the matter to collect more information and avoid future occurrence of such incidents.

A raging controversy erupted after bus tickets to Tirupati, one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimages, were seen emblazoned with advertisements of Jerusalem and Hajj on them. Alleging that Jagan Mohan Reddy is a non-Hindu, the BJP leaders have accused him and his government of pushing his agenda for minority religions.

Before election, YSRCP slogan was ‘Kavali Jagan,Ravali Jagan’, (‘Andhra needs Jagan, wants Jagan’ ) But Now, Is this their new Slogan- Ravali Jesus, Kavali Jesus? Promoting one particular religion on bus ticket to Tirupati is highly objectionable.

This must come to an end. pic.twitter.com/8NBjneobuD — BJP ANDHRA PRADESH (@BJP4Andhra) August 23, 2019

Andhra Pradesh endowments minister Vellampalli Srinivas issued a clarification these ticket bundles were printed before the elections, during the previous TDP government. He added these bundles were meant for Nellore and Kadapa and not for Tirumala-Tirupati. The minister has assured the issue is being taken with utmost seriousness and the guilty will be punished.