On Monday, the Supreme Court questioned the Andhra Pradesh government over the Tirupati Prasadam row by saying what was the need to go to the press when it wasn’t clear that adulterated ghee was used in the preparation of Tirumala laddus. The court said in a strong observation, ‘At least we expect Gods to be kept away from politics’.
‘The lab reports indicate that the ghee which was subjected to the test was the rejected sample’, told the Andhra government’s lawyer to the court. Justice BR Gavai asked the senior advocate Siddharth Luthra if the ghee which was not found in conformity with the standards was used for making laddus.
Luthra replied it was under investigation. Justice Gavai said, ‘Then what was the need to go to press immediately? You need to respect religious sentiments’. The Supreme Court also sought evidence that contaminated ghee was used for making the prasadam. The court has decided to consider shifting the investigation from the state to an independent agency.
Earlier this month, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed that animal fat was being used in the preparation of the sacred prasadam at the ancient temple. He said during Jagan Mohan Reddy’s rule, adulterated ghee was used to make Laddus at the Tirupati temple. The Andhra government formed a Special Investigation Team to investigate into the matter.
Jagan Mohan Reddy rejected the claim and accused CM Naidu of lying about the Tirupati Laddu prasadam. ‘To shift the political focus, CM Chandrababu Naidu has brought up the Laddu issue. CM Chandrababu Naidu is portraying that animal fat was used in the laddu prasadam manufacturing, which questions the sanctity of Tirumala. Is this justified? Chandrababu Naidu is lying on TTD Laddu Prasadam’, said the YSRCP leader.
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