Christian evangelism targeting Hindus in Tirupati’s educational institutions has ignited outrage, with two high-profile cases exposing alleged proselytization efforts by Christian faculty members in government-run colleges revered for their proximity to the sacred Tirumala temple. Lecturer Madhavi at Sri Venkateswara Government Polytechnic College and Prof Ch Changaiah at Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) stand accused of using classroom authority to propagate Jesus Christ, prompting protests from Hindu groups determined to safeguard Hindu students from conversion tactics.

Polytechnic Classroom Proselytization

During a lecture at Sri Venkateswara Government Polytechnic College, lecturer Madhavi wrote “Amma-Nanna Yesu Prabhu, Akka-Anna Yesu Christu” on the board, directly invoking Jesus as family figures in Telugu to Hindu students, an act decried as blatant evangelism in a secular academic space. The viral video of this incident fueled a Saturday protest by Hindu organisations, who stormed the campus demanding her removal and accusing her of exploiting her position to convert impressionable Hindu youth to Christianity.

BJP leader Bhanu Prakash condemned the episode as religious indoctrination, urging immediate suspension and criminal charges to prevent further erosion of Hindu cultural values in taxpayer-funded institutions. The college principal promised referral to higher authorities, while Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) clarified no affiliation, stressing the temple town’s intolerance for such anti-Hindu activities disguised as teaching.

SVU Professor’s Alleged Conversion Push

At SVU College of Engineering, Prof Ch Changaiah, Head of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, faces charges from Bajrang Dal activists of actively proselytizing Hindus on campus, promoting Christianity and disrespecting Hindu deities during lectures. Activists confronted him directly, filing complaints that highlight a pattern of faculty using academic platforms to target Hindu students for conversion in the Hindu heartland of Tirupati.

ABVP petitioned SVU Vice-Chancellor Prof Ch Appa Rao for his suspension, portraying the professor’s actions as aggressive evangelism that undermines Hindu faith among university youth. Counter-protests by SC/ST/BC/Minority forums defended him, but Hindu outfits view this as part of broader resistance to Christian missionary strategies infiltrating Andhra Pradesh’s educational ecosystem.

Vice-Chancellor’s Probe into Evangelism

SVU Vice-Chancellor Prof Ch Appa Rao swiftly ordered a fact-finding committee led by Prof K Sudharani, including engineering and commerce principals, to investigate Prof Changaiah’s role in “other religious propaganda” aimed at Hindus. A parallel police probe was mandated, with assurances of strict action against guilty parties to curb evangelism that threatens Hindu-majority campuses.

Registrar Prof M Bhupathi Naidu formalised the panel, signalling institutional resolve to counter Christian conversion drives amid rising complaints from Hindu student bodies.

Broader Threat of Christian Evangelism in Tirupati

These incidents underscore a disturbing surge in Christian evangelism targeting Hindus in Tirupati, where government colleges serve as fertile ground for missionary tactics amid the spiritual aura of Lord Venkateswara’s abode. Hindu organisations warn that unchecked classroom preaching could accelerate conversions, eroding the demographic and cultural fabric of Andhra Pradesh, home to over 80% Hindus per recent census data.

Protests and probes reflect unified Hindu resistance, demanding zero tolerance for faculty who prioritize Jesus over academic neutrality, with outcomes poised to set precedents against future incursions.