In his Public Interest Litigation (PIL), Swamy has requested the Supreme Court to establish an independent committee to thoroughly investigate the allegations related to the use of animal fat in the preparation of the laddus.
![[Tirupati Temple Laddu Controversy] BJP Leader Subramanian Swamy Moves SC, Seeks Investigation Into Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu's Claims](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-2024-09-23T131635.777.png?resize=750%2C450&ssl=1)
NEW DELHI: Today (23rd Sept) Subramanian Swamy, a prominent politician and member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), approached the Supreme Court of India concerning allegations surrounding the preparation of laddus served at the Tirupati Temple, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in the country.
In his Public Interest Litigation (PIL), Swamy has asked the Supreme Court to issue a ‘Writ of Mandamus’ or other suitable directions to appoint a committee, which would be overseen by the court, to conduct a comprehensive investigation into these allegations.
Swamy’s plea also calls for an inquiry into unverified claims made by former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Naidu allegedly suggested that the Prasadam (holy offering) from the Tirupati Tirumala Temple had been tainted with animal meat and other spoiled items.
The petitioner has also requested the court’s intervention under Article 142 of the Constitution of India to ensure that justice is delivered in this matter while safeguarding the public interest.
Furthermore, the petition requests any other orders the Court finds appropriate given the circumstances.
The BJP leader has asked the court to issue an interim direction to procure a comprehensive forensic report from the relevant authorities, concentrating on the lab testing of the ghee used in making the laddus, including its source and quality.
The laddus of the Tirupati Temple are not just a culinary offering; they hold deep religious significance for millions of devotees. The allegations of adulteration have sparked outrage and concern, prompting many to question the integrity of the offerings they receive.
Devotees view the laddus as blessings from the deity, making it crucial to ensure that these offerings meet the highest standards of purity and quality.
While the temple authorities have historically maintained that the laddus are made with the utmost care and devotion, the recent allegations have necessitated a reevaluation of transparency in the temple’s practices. The demand for an independent investigation aligns with the broader calls for accountability in religious institutions, ensuring that they adhere to ethical standards.
BACKGROUND
A lawyer filed a petition claiming that this practice violates fundamental Hindu religious customs and deeply offends the sentiments of millions of devotees who regard the laddoos as sacred ‘prasad.’
The petitioner argued that the alleged inclusion of animal fat reflects broader issues within temple administration and stressed the need to protect the sanctity of Hindu religious practices. The row triggered after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged that under the previous YSR Congress government, animal fat had been used in the preparation of the laddoos offered at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati.
The Andhra Pradesh government backed these claims by referencing a Gujarat laboratory report, which revealed traces of beef tallow, fish oil, and lard (pig fat) in the ghee used for the laddoos.
In a letter petition to Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, lawyer Satyam Singh contended that these allegations violate Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion, including the right to practice religious customs.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda has since requested a detailed report from Mr. Naidu on the matter. Meanwhile, the BJP, an ally of Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP), expressed strong condemnation, with senior leader Bandi Sanjay suggesting that the involvement of individuals from other religions in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board may have led to the alleged incident.
The YSR Congress and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy strongly denied the allegations regarding animal fat in the Tirupati laddoos. In his first statement on the controversy, Mr. Reddy dismissed the claims as “false and a diversionary tactic” by the TDP.
Senior YSR Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Y.V. Subba Reddy, who served as the TTD chairman for four years, accused Chandrababu Naidu of tarnishing the sanctity of the Tirumala shrine.
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