As the row over alleged adulteration in Tirupati laddus continues to escalate, Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu announced an SIT probe into it while charging at former CM and YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy for writing to PM Narendra Modi.
Published Sep 22, 2024 | 11:03 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 22, 2024 | 11:03 PM
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu
In a new development in the Tirupati laddu controversy involving Tirumala temple, on Sunday, 22 September, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu announced that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is being formed to probe the alleged adulteration.
Following massive uproar online and many taking to the streets to protest over claims of animal fat in Tirupati laddu, the CM made the announcement and charged YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy of trying to shift blame and divert people’s attention.
Speaking to the media in Vijayawada, he said that the team will consist of officers of and above the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP) and headed by an officer with the rank of Inspector General (IG).
“The team’s report will help us take preventive measures in the future,” he stated. Additionally, he accused Jagan of trying to shift the blame and divert people’s attention by coming after him and his party, TDP. The announcement of the SIT came in light of protestors expressing that this said adulteration is an attack on their religious belief.
The chief minister said that God has allowed him to cleanse the TTD. “To carry out this task I have appointed Shyamal Rao as the Executive Officer with instructions to restore the original sanctity of the temple,” he said.
Coming down on former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy like a ton of bricks for the acts of sacrilege, he wondered how dare he could write to the PM despite all his faults. Naidu defended himself for describing the former chief minister as one like Colombiana narco-terrorist Pablo Escobar for plundering the state and using the TTD a source of income.
He said that it was becoming difficult for him to control his anger with the YSRCP leaders issuing statements that they are not guilty at all and that they never allowed adulterated ghee from being used in making Tirumala laddus.
“How can he launch a counter offensive at me without showing any remorse for what did? Jagan had converted the TTD into a political rehabilitation centre for the YSRCP leaders,” the chief minister said.
Naidu said he was a staunch devotee of Lord Venkateswara since his younger days. “When Maoists tried to kill me using claymore mines in October 2003, it was the Lord who had saved me. I always tried protect and promote the sanctity of Tirumala. When the then chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy described the seven hills as two hills, I had fought against the attempt to belittle the greatness of the Lord,” he added.
Further charging at YSRCP and Jagan and re-asserting that adulterated animal fat was used in Tirupati laddu, the CM further said, “Having done what they did, the YSRCP leaders were now proclaiming themselves to be protectors of the sanctity of Tirumala shrine. TTD former chairman YV Subba Reddy’s wife always carries a Bible with her while another former chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy performed a wedding at his house in Christian tradition.”
He said Jagan should be ostracised from society.
The Tirupati laddu scandal emerged after Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu claimed that animal fat was used in laddus during the YSRCP regime. While lab reports point to adulteration, the Executive Officer of TTD, Shyamala Rao categorically identified the adulterant as Vanaspati.
Subsequently, the controversy generated significant backlash from devotees nationwide with the TDP, VHP, and BJP calling for accountability from the TTD. They alleged that these lapses in quality are a result of the former Chief Minister and YSRCP president YS Mohan Reddy’s failure.
While the controversy continues to escalate, former Andhra CM and YSRCP chief Jagan wrote a letter to PM Narendra Modi, voicing serious concerns over, what he described as, outrageous developments affecting the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
He argued in the letter that that the integrity and reputation of the sacred TTD is under threat from misinformation propagated by his political rival and CM, Chandrababu Naidu.
Meanwhile, Andhra Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan initiated a 11-day “Praschit Deeksha” or penance over the allegations. Expressing his distress over these claims, the actor-turned politician emphasised the need for accountability, regarding what he described as a “grievous sin” committed against the sanctity of the Tirumala laddu.
(Edited by Neena with inputs from Saicharan Sana and Raj Rayasam)
