In pursuance of their long pending demands, members of Telangana Archaka, Udyoga Sangham went on indefinite strike on Tuesday. As a result, there were no pujas and Archanas to the presiding deities in some 650 temples all over the Telangana State. The priests staged a dharna at the Sri Venkateshwara Swamy temple at Chikkadpally here.
The agitators’ demands include payment of salaries through the State treasury on par with the office staff of the Endowments Department. As a result, Arjitha sevas in many temples, barring the Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy temple in Bhadrachalam and a few other major temples, were affected.
Archakas and other employees of various temples in the city took out a rally from Kalvavoddu Anjaneya Swamy temple to Jalanjaneya Swamy temple to mark their protest against the State Government’s failure to fulfil its promises made to them earlier. The rally culminated into a meeting at Jalanjaneya Swamy temple where the agitators vowed to continue their stir till the government conceded all demands. Khammam MLA P. Ajay Kumar and other Congress leaders extended their support to the Archakas’ indefinite strike. (NSS)