PUTTAPARTHI: Amid growing criticism of the affairs in Prashanti Nilayam involving the members of the Sathya Sai Central Trust, the locals on Saturday demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the Sathya Sai Central Trust and a TTD-type set-up to run the trust. They took out a massive protest rally in the town under the aegis of the Puttaparthi Baba Bhakthi Brundham, formed by the Puttaparthi Builders’ Association, expressing anguish over the damage being done to the reputation of the trust and of the town.On Saturday morning, Builders’ Association members PC Ganganna, Sai Krishna, Srirami Reddy, Patcha Ramesh and Beedupalle MPTC Gangadhar led the rally that started at the Anjaneya Swamy temple and ended at the Ganesh Circle.Decrying the irregularities by some trust members and the damage it was causing to the reputation of the trust and the town, the agitators demanded immediate revamp of the Satya Sai Central Trust. They demanded a CBI inquiry into the irregularities in the trust and stringent action against those responsible for the irregularities. The protestors also demanded a TTD-like setup with a senior IAS officer supervising the affairs of the trust.“Baba always strove for the welfare of the people and never sought wealth. Devotees had voluntarily donated him huge money so that he could do some good to the world,” the locals said.“Today, reports of cash being taken out of Prashanti Nilayam had made people look at the holy place with suspicion, which is hurting the sentiments of the locals,” they said. “We are deeply hurt by the trust’s attitude towards Baba. When Baba was alive, he was always welcomed with flowers, but after his demise, his body was brought to Prashanti Nilayam unceremoniously. Further, no locals were allowed to have darshan, as if he was limited to only the rich and influential. Now also, locals are being kept away from the construction of Mahasamadhi,” they rued.Later, they submitted a memorandum to Puttaparthi incharge DSP Nawab Jan and Tahsildar Nagabushan. It is learnt that initially the DSP had tried to persuade the locals to give up the rally but had to make elaborate security arrangements when the locals expressed their resolve to go ahead with the protest.Meanwhile, followers of trust member RJ Rathnakar and builders close to him have hurriedly convened a meeting and reportedly decided to organise a counter rally.
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