A Tirumala devotee is fighting for his life at the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences in Tirupati, after security personnel at the temple allegedly pushed him around. 

According to reports, the man, identified as Padmanabham, is a native of Eluru in West Godavari district and was passing through the darshan queue with his family, late on Monday night.

The Hindu reported that security personnel took objection to a family member joining the ‘ladies queue'. The family claimed that it was unintentional, but the personnel allegedly roughed up the man, and even pushed him around.

In the short period of chaos that followed, Padmanabham, who was a heart patient, fell unconscious and was beaten, the family alleged.

The family also added that all this could be seen on the CCTV footage.

Reports add that Ramachandra's condition was critical, and a case has been registered with the police. 

However, the TTD has denied all charges. 

In a press release on Wednesday evening, the TTD refuted all the allegations made by the family, and accused Padmanabham of verbally arguing with female security staff, after entering the ladies queue.

The press release added that the man suddenly collapsed in between the argument due to high blood pressure, and was not manhandled in any way. 

“The security guards helped him up, gave him water and took him to a hospital in an ambulance,” the press release stated.

The TTD also added that the CCTV footage backed up their side of the story.