Supreme Court to Hear Petitions on Tirupati Tirumala Laddoo Controversy

October 4, 2024 New Delhi: Today the Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear a number of petitions demanding a court-monitored investigation on the controversy surrounding the claimed use of animal fat in the preparation of Tirupati laddoos, a holy offering at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh.

Supreme Court Questions Chief Minister’s Statements

The debate started when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu openly alleged that laddoos from the former government-run under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy utilized animal fat.

With many devotees expressing great concern over the purity of the prasadam, this claim has generated major public outcry and political discussion.

First looking at the claims, the Andhra Pradesh Police has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Still, the Supreme Court stepped in to question the Chief Minister’s public comments and the inquiry’s timing. The court stressed the need to allow religious issues free from political influence and pointed out that such comments could affect the emotions of millions of committed people.

The Supreme Court observed in the last hearing that there was no prima facie proof to bolster the allegation that laddoos had animal fat. The Chief Minister was also under fire by the court for public remarks spoken before the inquiry was over.

Under the direction of Justice BR Gavai, the bench emphasized the need to preserve the dignity of religious sacrifices and steer clear of pointless political theatre.

The Supreme Court is supposed to decide whether the inquiry ought to be passed to an independent agency or carried on under the state-appointed SIT.The ruling of the court will be widely monitored since it affects the faith of millions of followers globally as well as the political environment of Andhra Pradesh.