In a sharp rebuke to the Andhra Pradesh government, the Supreme Court on Monday raised strong concerns over the ongoing Tirupati Laddu row, questioning the necessity of politicizing the sacred prasadam issue. The controversy stems from allegations of adulterated ghee being used in the preparation of the Tirumala Laddus, a revered offering at the ancient Tirupati temple.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court made pointed observations, with Justice B.R. Gavai addressing the government’s actions, stating, “At least we expect Gods to be kept away from politics.” The court’s stern remarks highlighted the sensitivity of religious matters and the need to avoid using them for political gains.
The case revolves around the claims that substandard ghee, possibly containing animal fat, was used in making the Laddus during the tenure of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Earlier this month, former Chief Minister and TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu made these accusations, which sparked widespread outrage among devotees. Naidu alleged that under Reddy’s rule, adulterated ghee was used in the Tirupati temple’s sacred prasadam, leading to a political uproar.
However, Jagan Mohan Reddy has vehemently denied these claims, accusing Naidu of misleading the public for political purposes. “To shift the political focus, CM Chandrababu Naidu has brought up the Laddu issue. He is portraying that animal fat was used in the laddu prasadam manufacturing, which questions the sanctity and pride of Tirumala. Is this justified? Chandrababu Naidu is blatantly lying on TTD Laddu Prasadam,” Reddy stated earlier this month.
During Monday’s hearing, the Supreme Court asked the Andhra government’s lawyer, senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, if there was any conclusive evidence that the ghee used in the preparation of the Laddus was substandard. Luthra responded that the investigation was still ongoing.
Justice Gavai expressed concern about why the government went public with the issue before the lab reports were conclusive. “Then what was the need to go to the press immediately? You need to respect religious sentiments,” Justice Gavai remarked, referring to the media coverage surrounding the controversy.
The Supreme Court also took note of the lab reports, which showed that the ghee sample tested was a rejected batch. The bench questioned whether there was proof that the rejected ghee was actually used in preparing the Laddus, demanding further clarity on the matter.
Given the contentious nature of the issue and its potential to inflame public sentiments, the Supreme Court hinted at shifting the investigation from the state to an independent agency for a fair probe. The court’s decision comes amid concerns over the politicization of religious matters and the need to maintain the sanctity of the Tirupati Laddu.
The Andhra Pradesh government had previously formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the matter, but the Supreme Court’s intervention suggests that the case may now be handled by an external body to ensure impartiality.
As the investigation continues, the court has urged all parties to refrain from using religious issues for political mileage, stressing the importance of respecting the faith and sentiments of millions of devotees.
