We expect gods to be kept off politics: Supreme Court raps N Chandrababu

The Supreme Court today rapped Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for going public with allegations about use of adulterated ghee for preparing laddus offered as ‘prasadam’ at the famous Tirumala Tirupati Temple, saying it was inappropriate for him to make such a statement without waiting for the outcome of a probe ordered by the state.

“At least, we expect the gods to be kept away from politics,” said a Bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan as it sought to know if there was a need to make a public statement when a probe into the matter had already been ordered and the report was awaited.

Concerns crores of devotees

When somebody gives a report, doesn’t prudence dictate you to take a second opinion? When you ordered the probe, what was the need for going public? This is a matter of the sentiments of crores of devotees. SC Bench

“We are prima facie of the view that when the investigation was under process, it was not appropriate for the high constitutional authority (Naidu) to make a statement which can affect the sentiments of crores of people,” the Bench said, seeking assistance of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to decide if the SIT set up by the Andhra Pradesh Government should continue or the probe should be assigned to an independent agency.

Asking Mehta to seek instructions from the Centre on the issue, the Bench posted the matter for further hearing on Thursday (October 3). While hearing petitions seeking an independent probe into the alleged use of animal fat for preparing ‘prasadam’ at the temple, the top court sought to know what proof was there to indicate that contaminated ghee was used in making laddus.

The petitioners included senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy; YV Subba Reddy, a Rajya Sabha member and former Chairman of Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam (TTD), which manages Tirupati Temple; historian Vikram Sampath, spiritual leader Dushyanth Sridhar and ‘Sudarshan News’ editor-in-chief Suresh Chavhanke.

Mehta submitted that it was a matter of faith and if contaminated ghee was used in preparing laddus, it was unacceptable. On behalf of the TTD, senior counsel Siddharth Luthra said the ghee that was supplied in June and till July 4 was from the same supplier and was not sent for analysis. However, it was the ghee that was received in two tankers each on July 6 and July 12 that was sent to the NDDB (National Dairy Development Board).

In all, four samples of ghee were found to be adulterated and the ghee in the samples supplied in June and till July 4 was used in preparing laddus, he said. “When you have ordered an investigation through an SIT, what was the necessity to go to the press? When you hold a constitutional office, we expect the gods to be kept away from the politics… You get the report in July. On September 18, you go public. Unless you are sure, how did you go public?” the Bench asked.

Naidu had alleged that animal fat was used in preparing Tirupati laddus during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government in Andhra Pradesh, triggering a massive political row even as the YSR Congress Party accused Naidu of indulging in “heinous allegations” for political gains.