Today(20th Sept), The Andhra Pradesh High Court will hear a petition by YSRCP leader Y V Subba Reddy on September 25 regarding the controversy over the alleged use of animal fat in Tirupati laddus during the previous YSRCP government’s tenure. The issue has garnered significant political attention and public sentiment among Hindu devotees.
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Amaravati: Today(20th Sept), The Andhra Pradesh High Court has agreed to hear a petition on September 25, filed by senior YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Y V Subba Reddy. The petition revolves around the controversy regarding the alleged use of animal fat in the preparation of Tirupati laddus during the previous YSRCP government’s tenure. This issue has stirred public sentiment and drawn significant political attention, particularly among Hindu devotees.
Subba Reddy had initially sought to file a lunch motion petition on Friday, aiming to expose the truth behind the allegations. However, the High Court has deferred the matter and set it for a hearing on Wednesday(September 25), as confirmed by Subba Reddy’s legal representative, P Sudhakar Reddy.
The controversy took center stage following accusations by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) during an NDA legislative party meeting. Naidu alleged that during the previous YSRCP regime, even the sacred Sri Venkateswara temple, which is responsible for distributing the consecrated Tirupati laddus, was not spared. He claimed that the laddus were prepared using substandard ingredients and possibly animal fat. This accusation has led to widespread concern among devotees and became a major political flashpoint.
P Sudhakar Reddy, who previously served as the additional advocate general during the YSRCP regime, voiced his opposition to these allegations, deeming them politically motivated. He emphasized the need for an independent investigation, suggesting that it should be conducted either by a sitting judge of the High Court or through a committee constituted by the Court. Alternatively, he proposed that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should handle the inquiry.
Sudhakar Reddy argued-
“An investigation into the animal fat allegation should be conducted by a sitting High Court judge, or the High Court should form a committee, or it could be handled by the CBI.”
By seeking an impartial investigation, the YSRCP leader intends to address what he sees as baseless accusations intended to tarnish the reputation of the previous government. According to him, such allegations damage not only the YSRCP’s image but also hurt the religious sentiments of millions of Hindu devotees who hold the Tirupati laddus in high regard.
Sudhakar Reddy expressed strong disapproval of Chandrababu Naidu’s comments, questioning the appropriateness of making such serious claims without proper verification. He suggested that Naidu’s remarks are not only politically motivated but also harmful to the religious beliefs of the people.
“A person in the chief minister’s position (Naidu) should refrain from making allegations without verification, as they can hurt the sentiments of millions of Hindu devotees.”
-he pointed out.
He further criticized Naidu’s approach, accusing him of exploiting religious symbols and sacred institutions to gain political mileage. Subba Reddy’s legal team considers the accusations to be a deliberate attempt to divert attention and to shore up Naidu’s waning political standing.
Sudhakar Reddy did not hold back in his criticism of the ruling TDP, calling Naidu’s actions an example of “political mudslinging”. He emphasized that the Chief Minister should not use the divine and sacred as tools for political gain. He argued that Naidu’s remarks were nothing more than an attempt to exploit religious faith for his own political ends.
He stated-
“When you make an allegation, we want the truth to be revealed… you cannot use deities as tools for mudslinging. The truth should not emerge from an investigating agency under his control (Naidu), as he has already influenced the outcome.”
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the Sri Venkateswara temple, is a revered institution, and any allegations surrounding the sanctity of its offerings are bound to provoke strong reactions. Subba Reddy and his legal team assert that Naidu’s unfounded claims are damaging not only to the reputation of the YSRCP but also to the faith of Hindu devotees who revere the Tirupati laddus as a sacred offering from Lord Venkateswara.
