A fresh controversy has engulfed Bollineni Rajagopal Naidu, known as BR Naidu, the Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), following the circulation of a video and photographs on social media that purport to show him in close interactions with a woman.
The development, which erupted in late February and escalated into early March, has triggered demands for his resignation from opposition leaders while Mr. Naidu maintains the content is fabricated using artificial intelligence.
What does the video show?
The video clip, which surfaced around February 28–March 1, depicts Mr. BR Niadu appearing to hug a woman, prompting interpretations of personal misconduct. Senior YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) figures, including former TTD Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, swiftly criticised the visuals, arguing they undermine the sanctity of the revered Tirumala temple and its administration. Mr. Reddy described the episode as unprecedented in the institution’s 94-year history and insisted that someone facing such moral questions is unfit for the role, urging Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to remove him immediately.
YSRCP spokespersons further referenced an alleged prior letter from a woman addressed to state leadership, detailing a long association that reportedly turned sour with claims of emotional distress, financial difficulties, and lack of support during a family health crisis. Party leaders framed the issue as damaging to both the temple’s dignity and public trust in governance.
What did BR Naidu say?
In response, BR Naidu has categorically rejected the accusations as baseless and politically motivated.
During a press conference in Tirupati, he said that the woman featured in the video clips is a family friend of over 30 years, with the original images stemming from a group pilgrimage to Shirdi. He asserted that the circulated material combines legitimate photos with morphed or AI-generated elements to create a misleading narrative, containing no genuinely objectionable content.
Mr. Naidu accused rivals, particularly those from the previous YSRCP regime, of orchestrating a smear campaign, linking it to his efforts to expose alleged irregularities from earlier tenures. The TTD Chairman has warned of legal repercussions for those disseminating the altered content and confirmed filing a complaint with cybercrime authorities to investigate the origins and perpetrators of the deepfake manipulation.
The latest developments
The situation took an unexpected turn on March 3 when the woman allegedly shown in the primary video lodged a police complaint in Hyderabad’s Raidurgam area. She claimed unknown individuals had misused AI technology to alter her photographs and videos, causing severe mental anguish and reputational harm to her and her family. Police registered a case under the relevant sections.
Separately, another woman approached authorities in Tenali, Guntur district, denying any connection to Mr. Naidu and protesting false online linkages to the controversy.
BR Naidu is a media entrepreneur who launched the channel TV5 and has been the TTD Chairman since late 2024, overseeing one of India’s most prominent temple trusts.
For now, no formal charges have been filed against Mr. BR Naidu, and he continues in his position as TTD Chairman.