The Supreme Court said on Monday, during the hearing of three petitions over claims that pig fat was discovered in the ghee used to prepare the laddoos, or devotional gifts, ‘fed’ to the deity and distributed to devotees at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh. Religion and politics should not be allowed to combine.
The Supreme Court emphasized in a series of incisive queries and observations that there was insufficient evidence to prove either that the ghee was tainted or, in the event that it was, that the infected ghee was used to manufacture the laddoos. The court also cited a “false positive” testing warning and an ongoing investigation.
“We anticipate that gods will stay out of politics when you, the Chief Minister, have a position guaranteed by the Constitution. Why go to the press if you have already authorized (an) investigation? In July, the lab result was received; your statement was received in September. Moreover, the report lacks clarity throughout.”
The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s remarks on September 20, in which he attacked his challenger and predecessor, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, over the purported inclusion of animal fats in Tirupati laddoo ghee, clearly infuriated a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan.
The Supreme Court subsequently ordered a Thursday afternoon hearing on the subject and cautioned the Chief Minister against making a “hat-trick” of pointless remarks. “There should be restraint…” he was advised.
Members of Mr Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party, as well as his allies Jana Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party, quickly echoed his remarks, sparking a huge political controversy in the southern state. A ‘purification’ ceremony for the renowned temple was also announced and executed by the Chief Minister.
Mr Reddy and his YSR Congress Party have responded to the accusations and attacks by denouncing the “malicious” statements and charging the TDP with lying for political advantage. The party added that Mr Naidu was the one who, through his outlandish remarks, had actually undermined the temple’s sacredness. Later on, Mr Reddy went so far as to write Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling Mr Naidu a “pathological liar”.
Following the filing of petitions by YSRCP Rajya Sabha MP YV Subba Reddy and BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, the dispute was taken all the way to the Supreme Court. Additionally, Mr Reddy held the position of Chair of the state-run trust that oversees the Tirupati temple, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam.