The Tirupati police have booked cases against eight people including veteran actor Sivakumar. An old undated video which have the speech made by actor Sivakumar has kicked up controversy now after an FIR (first information report) against him surfaced on social media on Saturday.

The Tirumala II Town police in Andhra Pradesh had registered the FIR on April 29 based on a complaint by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) vigilance wing inspector V Subramanyam Reddy.

Sivakumar has been booked under Indian Penal Code Section 500 (defamation), 505 (1) (B) (with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or the public tranquillity) by the Andhra Pradesh police.

One minute into the video, Sivakumar said, "A staunch devotee who had followed viratam (fasting) for 48 days reached Tirupati from Katpadi (in Tamil Nadu) by walk. He is made to stand in long queues and allowed to worship the Lord only after four days. The staff keep saying jarugandi jarugandi (move, move) and push him away. But, a rich person, accompanied by a mistress, comes and stays at the guest house. He consumes alcohol in the night and worships the Lord even without taking a bath in the morning. He is given complete respect with Kumbha Harathi. I am a witness to these incidents."

Here's Sivakumar's speech and FIR copy:

Sivakumar had spoken in an undated video about inequalities in Hindu temples stating that rich and poor devotees are treated differently. pic.twitter.com/USYOlVxyix

— Pramod Madhav♠️ (@PramodMadhav6) June 6, 2020

In 2019, Sivakumar was mired in controversy for knocking away a fan's phone who tried to take a selfie with him without his permission. Sivakumar's daughter-in-law Jyotika, who is also an actor, had got into a controversy a few weeks ago for saying that instead of spending money on temples, the funds should be spent on schools and education.