Tirupati Laddu Row: SC Rebukes Andhra CM, Warns Against Mixing Religion & Politics

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday criticised the mixing of religion and politics while hearing petitions related to allegations of animal fat being found in the ghee used for making laddoos at Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati temple. The court pointed out the lack of clear evidence linking the ghee contamination to the laddoos.

The bench, comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan, questioned the need for Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s public statements despite his government having ordered an inquiry into the matter. The court noted an ongoing investigation and warned against politicising religious issues. “Religion and politics cannot mix,” it emphasised.

Naidu had referenced a Gujarat lab report from July, which allegedly detected fish oil, beef tallow, and lard in the ghee. However, the court noted a disclaimer in the report, indicating potential false positives. The judges also questioned the absence of a second opinion on the test results before Naidu’s public statements in September.

Justice Gavai criticised Naidu for his remarks against his political rival YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, stating that such comments were unnecessary, especially with an ongoing investigation. The court also highlighted that the ghee from the tested tankers had not been used to make the laddoos.

The issue escalated after Naidu’s remarks, sparking political tensions, with leaders from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Jana Sena, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) backing his claims. In response, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and Jagan Mohan Reddy condemned the allegations, accusing Naidu of spreading misinformation for political gain.

The petitions, filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy and YSRCP MP YV Subba Reddy, sought forensic reports and an independent investigation into the matter. The court has scheduled further hearings for Thursday and advised restraint in public comments on the sensitive issue.