Tirupati laddu controversy: The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for publicly claiming that the previous YSR Congress Party government used substandard ghee, allegedly containing animal fat, to prepare laddus at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan expressed concern over the lack of conclusive proof to support the claim. The court also asked why the CM went public with the statement.
“At least the gods should be kept away from politics,” the bench remarked during the hearing.
Justice Gavai further questioned whether Naidu had any definitive material to substantiate the allegation, while Justice Viswanathan observed that initial reports rejected the ghee sample.
The court pointed that it would have been more appropriate to test the laddus before making public statements, noting that there was no prima facie evidence showing that the ghee in question was used in the preparation of the sacred offerings.
“Whether such a statement should have been made that affects the sentiments of the devotees? What was the need of going to the press and making a public statement when SIT was ordered? the court asked.
The court rebuked the absence of evidence from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) and noted that the Executive Officer’s testimony contradicted the Chief Minister’s claims. Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing the TTD, struggled to provide satisfactory responses to the court’s queries.
In its order, the court pointed out that Naidu had made the statement before an FIR was lodged or the SIT was formed. The court was hearing several petitions calling for a probe into the alleged use of animal fat in the preparation of Tirupati laddus.
Naidu’s earlier statement, made this month, sparked a political row, with his allegations targeting the previous government led by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
