Former chief minister and YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy announcing his visit to the Tirupati temple tomorrow has set off a political firestorm as the visit comes days after his government was accused of using substandard ingredients and animal fat for making laddus at the shrine.
According to Reddy’s itinerary, he is scheduled to depart from Gannavaram Airport for Renigunta at 4 pm today, later to Tirumala, where he is estimated to reach by 7 pm and stay overnight. On Saturday, the opposition party leader is scheduled to offer prayers at the hill shrine.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Naidu Music had alleged that the previous YSRCP government had used substandard ingredients and animal fat for making laddu at the famous Sri Venkateswara temple. Subsequently, Reddy urged his party to atone for the ‘sin’ allegedly committed by Naidu with his claims on Tirupati laddus. Reddy said he would visit the temple as part of the statewide temple rituals.
Tirupati police may issue notice to Jagan Mohan Reddy
Tirupati police, which has imposed Section 30, prohibiting public gathering in the area, told PTI that they may issue a notice to former chief minister after he lands at Renigunta Airport. Messages are doing rounds on social media urging YSRCP party members to assemble at some locations in Tirupati in display of solidarity with Reddy. “Section 30 of the Police Act which regulates public assemblies and processions is in force in the district. We have noticed several postings on social media platforms asking people to gather at certain places in Tirupati. The notices are nothing but cautioning them not to come and defy orders. Jagan Mohan Reddy may also be issued a notice at the airport not to defy prohibitory orders,” a police official told PTI.
YSRCP leaders, former TDP chairman directed not to defy orders
As the Tirupati laddu controversy snowballed, the ruling NDA leaders have been demanding Reddy to declare his faith before entering the shrine. YSRCP general secretary Gadikota Srikanth Reddy said several party leaders in Annamayya district have been warned by authorities not to venture out.
B Karunakar Reddy, former chairman, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) told the news agency that he and many party leaders have been directed by policy not to defy orders. He said as former chairman of the TTD, he is entitled for a darshan along with seven members which he is planning to utilise today.
SIT to investigate laddu ‘adulteration’ claims
As the alleged adulteration of Tirupati laddus with animal fat has prompted responses from national leaders, a nine-member special investigation team has been formed to investigate the claims.”The government of Andhra Pradesh, in accordance with its commitment to protecting the sanctity of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), have (has) considered it necessary to constitute an SIT for detailed and comprehensive investigation of the entire issue,” Chief Secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad told PTI.
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The SIT is headed by Guntur range Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sarvashresth Tripathi among other officials. YSRCP leaders, meanwhile, said an investigation into the allegations led by an agency reporting the CM is insufficient, rather demanded for a Supreme Court-monitored probe. P Sudhakar Reddy, former additional advocate general pointed out earlier that the probe should not be led by an agency working under Naidu.
Pawan kalyan irked by actor karthi ‘Lauging’ overdu Row
Andhra Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan was offended by Tamil actor Karthi for laughing while addressing the Tirupati laddu row. During the promotion of his upcoming film Meiyazhagan, Karthi was shown a meme showing laddus and the actor refrained from commenting and saying “It is a sensitive issue, and let’s not talk about it now,” before breaking into laughter.
Kalyan, also an actor warned film celebrities not to make jokes about Tirupati laddus and in response apologised to Pawan stating “as a humble devotee of Lord Venkateswara, I always hold our traditions dear.” Pawan later accepted the apologyeasing the tension.
Temple body calls back devotees
Following claims made by CM Naidu, TTD Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao had said lab lab tests have revealed the presence of animal fat and lard in chosen samples and the board was in the process of blacklisting the contractor who supplied ‘adulterated’ ghee. On September 20, the temple body said in a post on social media said sanctity of the sacred sweetmeat has been restored post “purification” rituals. The officials of the board called on devotees to set aside fears about the laddu and added that they have started using ghee supplied by the Karnataka Milk Federation to prepare the laddus.
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Tamil Nadu firm that made laddus refutes claims
A R Dairy Food Private Limited, based in Tamil Naduwhich supplied ghee to the temple earlier, denied allegations that their ghee was adulterated. Following the allegations, a quality control officer at the Dindigul-based AR Dairy Food, termed the claims “unsubstantiated”. “We have been operational since 1998, and this is the first time such accusations have been made against us,” Kannan told a Tamil news channel. According to him, AR Diary, which holds ISO certification, was approved to supply ghee to TTD, a four-member expert team from the temple administration visited their plant to assess their capacity and quality control measures.
