In the context of the scare due to leopards growing in Tirumala, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) recently started distributing sticks to devotees. The stick is meant to be a weapon to protect themselves against attacking leopards.
The move has led to much trolling and mockery. Today, Tirupati MLA Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, who is the Chairman of the TTD, said that the move is scientific in nature.
"Studies say that leopards don't attack humans taller than them. A person holding a long stick will look taller and can thus escape from being attacked," he said.
TTD is resolved to distribute thousands of sticks. "No matter how many thousands of devotees are going to walk on foot, each of them will be given a solid stick. Stick is the first line of defence for humans. Its importance in human history is known to all," the Chairman recently said.
