To: His Excellency the Prime Minister of India Sri Narendra Modi-ji
From: The Devotees, Sevakas, and Well-Wishers of Sri Ranganatha Temple, Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, India

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
We the undersigned bring to your attention urgent concerns regarding illegal and unethical practices taking place at the Sri Ranganatha Temple, Srirangam, Tamil Nadu. As you know, this ancient temple has great historic and religious significance to devoted Hindus throughout the world. Sri Valmiki Ramayana recounts how Sri Rama Himself presented the idol of Sri Ranganatha to Vibhishana to take back with him to South India. It is this ancient image of Sriman Narayana which serves as the first and foremost deity in the 108 sacred temples in the Ramanuja Sri Vaishnava religion.

The temple itself is an architectural masterpiece. Located on an island in the Kaveri River, the temple covers some 156 acres, making it the largest place of worship on earth. Along with its main shrine dedicated to the 10-foot-long deity of Sri Ranganatha, the temple houses 50 smaller shrines to the various demi-gods and saints of the Sri Vaishnava community. Unique to this temple is a shrine containing what is believed to be the mortal remains of Sri Ramanuja himself. The attention to details in terms of temple rituals, festivals, and service to society as a whole is a testament to this great scholar and social reformer. As such the need to maintain the traditional rituals, ambience and lifestyle of the people here are of utmost concern to Hindus all over the world.

Recently, however, many violations have occurred under the chairmanship of Mr. Venu Srinivasan which have not only impacted the hoary traditions of this temple but have desecrated the contents of the temple itself. Please note Mr. Srinivasan is currently in violation WP NO.574 of 2015, which requires the position of Chairman of the Board of Trustees to be appointed to a local resident. In addition, Mr. Srinivasan refuses to leave the post of Chairman although his tenure has ended.
During his time as Chairman, the residents and sevakas of the temple have seen:

1. Reckless modifications to the historic idols and architecture.
2. Discontinuance of the regular distribution of prasadam to devotees.
3. Discontinuance of the distribution of holy water (teertham) and the symbolic Feet of the Lord (satari) to devotees.
4. Creating political divisiveness among the sevakas in the temple.
5. Interference with the regular pooja activities in all the shrines.
6. Illegal snatching of the smaller shrines such that they can be run by officials and sevakas not historically assigned to these tasks.

These are just a few of the heinous activities occurring in the temple under the Chairmanship of Mr. Venu Srinivasan.

We, the undersigned, request your urgent help in:

1. The immediate removal of Mr. Venu Srinivasan from the Board of Srirangam Temple
2. The appointment of a qualified individual to the Board in accordance with WP NO.574.
3. The reappointment of scholars, hereditary priests, and religious leaders (Jeeyars, Acharya Purushas) to their appointed positions such that Srirangam Temple can return to serving devotes properly in accordance with Ramanuja’s vision.

Thanking you, most respectfully,