New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (September 30) criticised Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for making public allegations about the use of adulterated ghee in the preparation of laddus offered as prasadam at the Tirumala Tirupati Temple.
A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan questioned the propriety of Naidu’s statements, made while the matter was under investigation.
The court expressed concerns that Naidu’s statements could affect the sentiments of millions of people worldwide.
“We expect the Gods to be kept away from politicians,” Justice Gavai observed, as per Live Law.
The bench also noted that the lab report prima facie indicated that rejected ghee samples were tested, sparking doubts about the authenticity of the allegations.
“The petition pertains to sentiments affecting crores of people living in the entire world. The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh had gone in public making a statement that the animal fat was being used to make Tirupati laddus under the previous regime. However, some press reports also show that the chief executive officer of the Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam [TTD] had also made a statement that such an adulterated ghee was never used. The petitions have been filed seeking various prayers including an independent enquiry and directions for regulating the affairs of the religious trusts and specifically the manufacture of prasadam,” the bench was quoted as saying by Live Law.
Also read: What Prompted Chandrababu Naidu’s Sudden Claims on ‘Contaminated’ Tirupati Laddus?
The bench added: “We are prima facie of the view that when the investigation was under process, it was not appropriate for the high constitutional authority to make a statement which can affect the sentiments of crores of people.”
The court is hearing a batch of petitions seeking a court-monitored investigation into the controversy. The petitions, filed by senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy, Rajya Sabha MP and ex-TTD chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy, and others, demand an independent enquiry and directions for regulating religious trusts and prasadam manufacture.
During the hearing, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the state, faced intense questioning from the bench.
Justice Viswanathan asked, “Here are some disclaimers in the lab report. It is not clear, and it is prima facie indicating that it was rejected ghee, which was subjected to test. If you yourself have ordered investigation, what was the need to go to press,” Live Law reported.
Further, Justice Viswanathan was quoted as saying, “When somebody gives a report like you, does not prudence dictate that you take a second opinion? First of all, there is no proof that this ghee was used. And there is no second opinion.”
The court also sought clarification on whether the ghee in question was actually used in preparing laddus.
Also read: Did Tirupati Devotees Consume Non-Vegetarian Laddus?
The Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, has been asked to consult with the Union government on whether a central investigation is necessary. The matter has been postponed until Thursday.
The controversy erupted after Naidu made public a lab report allegedly showing the presence of foreign fats, including beef fat and fish oil, in ghee supplied to the temple during the previous YSRCP government’s term. The Andhra Pradesh government has since constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe the matter.
