Why Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu must rethink Lulu Mall plans in Tirupati
Brig (Retd) G.B. Reddi
Andhra Pradesh is currently attracting large-scale investment. Lulu Group, a global retail giant led by Yusuff Ali, has announced plans to build a massive international-standard shopping mall and multiplex in Visakhapatnam, with hypermarkets in Vijayawada and Tirupati. These projects promise jobs, modern infrastructure, and economic growth. But at what cost—and to whom?
A Hindu organization has raised alarm over what this commercial onslaught could mean for Tirupati and Tirumala—the twin towns that are home to Sri Venkateswara Swamy, revered by millions as Kaliyuga Devudu. Every day, over a lakh devotees make the pilgrimage to this holy hill. Tirumala is not just a temple town; it is the spiritual capital of Hindu India. The decisions taken here must reflect that sacred responsibility.
On April 20, the Global Hindu Heritage Foundation (GHHF) wrote to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, urging his government to revoke permissions granted to Lulu Group for a mall in Tirupati. The Foundation alleges it has received no response. On the contrary, Chief Minister Naidu publicly welcomed Lulu’s investments after meeting Yusuff Ali, announcing plans for food processing hubs, multiplexes, and hypermarkets, including in Tirupati.
Let us be absolutely clear: a mall of this scale—30 lakh square feet, with an eight-screen IMAX theatre, an international convention center, and a hypermarket—within close proximity to Tirumala, is a direct assault on the spiritual ambiance of this sacred zone. It will shift the cultural equilibrium, attracting urban crowds more interested in consumerism than devotion.
This raises troubling questions about Naidu’s political priorities. While he publicly aligns with the BJP-led NDA at the national level, his actions on the ground suggest a disturbing disconnect with the BJP’s core ideological commitment to Dharma and temple protection. Is this just business as usual, or is Naidu playing a more dangerous game?
Recent events, such as the offering of Namaz on Tirumala Hills, reveal a growing disregard for the religious sanctity of this region. Tirupati is already under demographic and ideological stress. GHHF is right in flagging that uncontrolled commercial growth—especially ventures run by communities with little regard for Hindu traditions—risks fundamentally altering the city’s character.
Based on patterns observed in other cities where Lulu Malls operate, the Foundation has warned of likely consequences:
- Demographic shifts, with large-scale migration from outside communities seeking jobs and business opportunities.
- Religious tensions, including unchecked mosque construction and disruption of Hindu festivals, as seen recently in Rayachoti.
- Cultural friction: Azaan blaring five times a day, demands to silence temple bells, and challenges to Hindu rituals.
- Social risks: Love jihad, forced conversions, and insecurity for Hindu women.
- Political fallout: With demographic change and vote-bank politics, it’s only a matter of time before Tirupati elects a mayor who may not prioritize its Hindu identity.
This is not paranoia—it is pattern recognition. It is already visible in Vijayawada, which many now say resembles a “mini Pakistan,” filled with meat-centric eateries and religious markers unfamiliar to its earlier Hindu-majority identity.
In this context, GHHF calls on the Andhra Pradesh government to act decisively:
- Declare a Divya Kshetra: Just as the Vatican or Mecca are protected, Tirumala-Tirupati must be designated a Divya Kshetra, where only religiously compatible activities aligned with Sanatana Dharma are permitted. N.T. Rama Rao proposed this in 1987. The time to act is now.
- Create a 30-Mile Spiritual Buffer: A protective cultural zone around Tirumala must be enforced, barring commercial and religious activity that could dilute the sanctity of the area.
- Relocate the Lulu Mall: Let Lulu build in Andhra Pradesh—just not within a 75-kilometer radius of Tirupati. Development cannot come at the cost of civilizational heritage.
Should we wait for irreversible damage before waking up? Will the Naidu government act with foresight, or will the so-called ‘visionary’ Chief Minister allow his vision to blur in the glare of corporate capital?
Tirumala is not just a pilgrimage site. It is the beating heart of Hindu civilization. And it must be protected—at all costs.