'Keep Gods out of politics...': SC on Tirupati laddu row
The Supreme Court on Monday talked about the importance of separating religion and politics while hearing petitions about claims of animal fat in the ghee used for making laddus at Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati temple. The court raised eyebrows over the timing of Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's public reveal of a lab report alleging traces of fish oil, beef tallow, and lard (pig fat) in the ghee. "We expect Gods to be kept away from politics." the court said.
Absence of definitive proof: Apex court
"When you (the Chief Minister) hold a Constitutional post... we expect Gods to be kept away from politics. If you had already ordered (an) investigation, what was the need to go to the press?" the court questioned. Addressing multiple petitions on the matter, the court noted the absence of definitive proof of contamination and highlighted that the state government's inquiry was still pending. Additionally, the testing laboratory had cautioned about potential "false positives" in their results.
Petitioners seek detailed reports, independent investigation
The petitions were filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy and former chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) YV Subba Reddy, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from the YSR Congress Party. Both petitioners have requested a court-monitored investigation into the allegations. Their petitions will be heard by a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan.
Bench's dissatisfaction with Andhra CM's remarks
The bench expressed dissatisfaction with the remarks made by Andhra Pradesh CM on September 20, where he criticized his political rival, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, regarding allegations of animal fat in the ghee used for Tirupati laddus. The comments, later echoed by members of his Telugu Desam Party, along with allies Jana Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party, sparked a major political controversy in the state. Naidu also conducted a "purification" ceremony at the temple following the claims.
What Justice Gavai, Justice Viswanathan said
"You (the Andhra government) ordered a special investigation. Till the outcome... what was the need to go to the press? You have been always appearing for such... this is the second time," Justice Gavai hit out at the state administration. Justice Viswanathan added, "Unless you were sure (about the adulteration), how did you go to public? What (then) was the purpose of investigation?"
'Need to respect religious sentiments...': Justice Gavai
The Supreme Court added that it had not yet been confirmed whether the ghee in question, which had received quality complaints, was actually used to make the Tirupati laddus. After being informed that the investigation into the ghee's quality was still ongoing, Justice Gavai remarked, "(Then) what was the need to go to the press immediately? You need to respect religious sentiments." The court further asked, "Where is the proof this was the ghee used to prepare the laddus?"
SC on Gujarat lab's false positive disclaimer
The Supreme Court revealed a disclaimer in the report from the Centre of Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food lab at Gujarat's National Dairy Development Board. The court asked senior advocate Siddhartha Luthra, representing the TDP, to read it aloud, stating, "Public (may) not be aware of this... you (the CM) only gave a statement..." Luthra read, "A false positive can be obtained." Justice Viswanathan then questioned, "Does not prudence dictate you take a second opinion (before going public)?"
Ex-CM Jagan's response
In response to the allegations, former CM Jagan and his YSR Congress Party condemned the "malicious" accusations, accusing the TDP of spreading lies for political advantage. The party further claimed that it was, in fact, Naidu who had harmed the temple's sanctity with his "outrageous" remarks. Jagan later wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling Naidu a "pathological liar" in his letter, escalating the political feud.
