Keep gods away from politics: Supreme Court on Tirupati laddu row

The Supreme Court on Monday 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 outcome of a probe ordered by the state.

“At least, we expect the Gods to be kept away from politics,” a Bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan observed 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.

“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 Tirupati 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 MP and former Chairman of Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam which manages Tirupati Temple; historian Vikram Sampath and 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 at the Tirupati temple, it was unacceptable.

On behalf of the TTD, senior counsel Siddharth Luthra said the ghee which was supplied in June and till 4th July supplied by the same supplier were not sent for analysis. However, it was the ghee which was received on two tankers each on 6th and 12th July which were sent to NDDB (National Dairy Development Board).

In all the four samples the ghee was found to be adulterated and the ghee in the samples supplied in June and till 4th July 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. 18th September 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 YSR Congress Party accused Naidu of indulging in “heinous allegations” for political gains.

“When somebody gives a report, doesn’t prudence dictate that you take a second opinion? First of all, there is no proof that this (adulterated) ghee was used. And there is no second opinion… When you ordered the investigation, what was the need for going public? This is a matter of the sentiments of the lakhs of devotees,” said the Bench which repeatedly questioned the need for the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister to go public with the allegations.

Noting that it affected the sentiments of crores of people across the world, the top court said, “The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has gone public making a statement that animal fat was being used to make Tirupati laddus under the previous regime. However, some press reports also show that the Chief Executive Officer of the Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam had also made a statement that such an adulterated ghee was never used.”

On behalf of Swamy, senior advocate Rajashekhar Rao contended that Naidu made a factual assertion that contaminated ghee used for making the laddus but his statement was contradicted by the TTD Executive Officer who said such ghee was never used. He said such statements can vitiate social harmony.

However, senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Andhra Pradesh Government, took exception to Swamy's petition, saying it was not bona fide and was filed at the behest of the previous Government led by YSRCP.