The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition filed by lawyer Satyam Singh, claiming that the alleged use of animal fat in the famed Tirupati laddoos violates Hindu religious customs and deeply hurts the sentiments of countless devotees. The laddoos, given as prasad at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, are considered sacred by millions of Hindus.
The controversy erupted when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSR Congress government of using animal fat in the preparation of the laddoos. According to Naidu, a Gujarat laboratory report found traces of beef tallow, fish oil, and pig fat in the ghee used for the laddoos. This revelation has caused widespread outrage among devotees, sparking calls for a full investigation.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda has also requested a detailed report on the allegations from Chief Minister Naidu. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), an ally of Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP), has called the use of animal fat in the sacred prasad an “unforgivable sin”. BJP leader Bandi Sanjay suggested that the involvement of people from other religions in the temple’s management might be responsible for the issue.
The Petition in the Supreme Court
Satyam Singh’s petition to the Supreme Court asserts that the use of animal fat in the Tirupati laddoos violates Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of religion.
The petition emphasizes that the allegations hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus and threaten the sanctity of a key religious practice. Singh argues that the controversy points to larger systemic problems in temple management, which require culturally sensitive oversight to protect the sanctity of Hindu traditions.
ALSO READ: Fish oil, beef tallow and lard used to make Tirupati laddoos during YSR Congress regime: Chandrababu Naidu
Singh also highlighted several Supreme Court judgments that have previously upheld the protection of essential religious practices, calling for the same in the case of the Tirumala temple. The petition requests the Supreme Court to intervene and ensure the protection of Hindu religious practices, as well as the proper administration of sacred institutions.
Political Reactions and Accusations
The YSR Congress Party and its leader, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, have dismissed the allegations as false and politically motivated. On Friday, Reddy labeled the accusations a “diversionary tactic” by the TDP ahead of upcoming elections. YSR Congress leader and former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman YV Subba Reddy also criticized Naidu, accusing him of damaging the sanctity of the Tirumala temple for political gain.
“Chandrababu Naidu has severely damaged the sanctity of Tirumala and the faith of crores of Hindus,” said Subba Reddy, challenging Naidu to take a religious oath with his family to prove his allegations.
As the controversy surrounding the Tirupati laddoos escalates, the Supreme Court’s involvement will likely shape the future course of this debate. With religious sentiments at stake and political accusations flying, the issue is expected to remain in the spotlight as both the legal and political aspects of the case unfold.
