Jagan Reddy Cancels Tirupati Temple Visit Amid Laddoo Controversy

Hyderabad: YSR Congress Party president Jagan Mohan Reddy has cancelled his planned visit to the Tirupati temple, scheduled for Saturday, amid a political controversy involving Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. The visit was intended to “atone” for what Reddy described as Naidu’s “sin” – a reference to Naidu’s claim that animal fat was used in the famous Tirumala temple laddoos, offered as ‘prasad’.

At a press conference on Friday, Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged he was denied permission to visit the temple, a claim strongly refuted by Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP). This development comes as the TDP and its ally, BJP, demanded Reddy, a former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, sign a declaration required for non-Hindus before entering the temple. According to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) rules, non-Hindus and foreigners must declare their reverence for Lord Venkateswara before visiting the temple.

Reports revealed that the rule has existed for years, but new signboards highlighting it appeared after Reddy’s visit was announced. Naidu defended the requirement, emphasising that all visitors must respect temple traditions. Meanwhile, YSR Congress leaders were reportedly issued notices under Section 30 of the Police Act, which regulates public gatherings, in anticipation of party members gathering along Reddy’s route.

Reddy accused Naidu of using the laddoo controversy to divert attention from his government’s performance in the first 100 days of his current term. He further questioned the delay in releasing lab results related to the ghee used in the laddoos, rejecting Naidu’s claims of contamination with animal fat.

BJP leader D Purandeswari reiterated that Reddy must make a formal declaration as per TTD regulations. She cited rules stipulating non-Hindus must declare their faith before entering the temple complex. TDP spokesperson Jyothsna Tirunagari also rejected Reddy’s claim that he was denied temple entry, insisting that the declaration rule has long been in place and was enforced even when Reddy served as Chief Minister.