No political, hate speeches at Tirumala: TTD urges visitors to respect new rules, warns of legal action

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple, has banned political and hate speeches on Tirumala Hills, citing disruptions to the spiritual atmosphere. The decision follows incidents where individuals, including political leaders, made inflammatory remarks near the temple premises, TTD said in a social media post Saturday.

TTD urged visitors to respect the new rule and warned of legal action against violators. The board reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining Tirumala’s divine and tranquil environment.

LV Subrahmanyam, former chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh and ex-TTD executive officer, told PTI the rule has long been in place, with previous violators reprimanded.

Also Read:‘Transfer non-Hindus’, ‘better ghee’ – TTD board’s new diktat amid Tirupati laddu controversy

SIT probes adulterated Ghee allegations

Meanwhile, a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has launched a probe into allegations of adulterated ghee, including the use of animal fat, in preparing Tirupati laddus during the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regime. The Supreme Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to oversee the SIT in its October 4 order, based on petitions by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy and YSRCP MP YV Subba Reddy.

SIT member and senior IPS officer Sarvashresth Tripathi confirmed the investigation has begun but withheld further details. The probe focuses on Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams’ ghee procurement records and the quality assurance process during the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led administration.

Also Read:Tirupati Laddu row: Supreme Court rejects petition for CBI probe into adulterated laddu case

The investigation stems from an FIR filed by the Andhra Pradesh government at the Tirupati East police station. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had alleged in September that animal fat was used in laddus, triggering a political uproar. The YSR Congress Party denied the allegations, accusing Naidu of political opportunism, while the Telugu Desam Party circulated a lab report supporting its claim.

The SIT, comprising officials from the CBI, Andhra Pradesh Police, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has established an office in Tirupati to conduct its investigation.