The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has raised serious exception to the establishment of an Islamic University on the outskirts of the temple city of Tirupati.

The Heera International Islamic University is being established as an Arabic learning centre for women at a six-storied building on the banks of the Swarnamukhi at Thondavada village, 11 km from the city centre.

Speaking to the media on Friday, the party’s State official spokesperson G. Bhanuprakash Reddy demanded an explanation from the State and Central government on the setting up of the Islamic institute at a place considered sacred for Hindus.

“In recent times, there had been several intelligence reports about a looming security threat to the temple city. In such a situation, is it necessary to set up a centre dedicated to Islamic studies at the foot of the Tirumala hills?” Mr. Reddy said the party was not against the university and Islamic studies, but had serious concerns about the place where it was being established.

Voicing serious doubts over the activities of the university, including its funding pattern, international grants and reported encroachment of land, he demanded an inquiry by a sitting judge to unearth the facts.

BJP city president K. Ajay Kumar and leaders Samanchi Srinivas and Nageswara Rao spoke.

Meanwhile, Adi Hindu Parirakshana Samithi also wondered how the government gave permission for an Islamic centre in Tirupati. Though Lord Venkateswara was adored by people of all faiths, establishing such a centre in Tirupati, which was already on the terrorist radar, would amount to buying trouble, said its State convener Kalluri Chengaiah in a press release.

The Samithi, which represents Adi Andhra, Adi Dravida and Adivasi communities, also demanded revocation of permission for the centre here.