The Supreme Court on Monday said that those in constitutional positions should keep religious matters separate from politics. This observation came during the hearing of multiple petitions concerning the alleged adulteration of laddus at the Tirupati temple.
The petitions were filed by senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, Rajya Sabha MP and former TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy, as well as historian Vikram Sampath and spiritual speaker Dushyanth Sridhar.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan directed pointed questions at the Andhra Pradesh government and the management of the Tirumala Tirupati temple. They particularly questioned the need for public comments while an investigation was already underway.
The court noted that the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu commented on the Tirupati laddus before an FIR was lodged or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was established.
“When you hold constitutional office, it is expected that you would… we expect Gods to be kept away from polity. The lab report came in July… your statement came in September. (And) the report is not at all clear,” Justice BR Gavai remarked in response to senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Andhra Pradesh government.
The court warned the CM against making unnecessary comments. “There should be restraint…”
“You ordered an SIT. Until the outcome, what is the necessity to go to the press? You have always been appearing for such… this is the second time,” the court asked Rohatgi.
Rohatgi defended the Andhra government’s actions, claiming that these petitions were not genuine. “They are an attempt to attack the current government by the previous regime. TTD issued a show cause notice regarding what kind of supplies…” he stated.
The Supreme Court pressed for evidence to support claims that contaminated ghee was used in the laddus. Advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing the Tirupati Temple, said, “We are investigating.”
Justice Gavai then questioned, “Then what was the need to go to the press immediately? You need to respect religious sentiments.”
The court observed that no reports confirmed the use of adulterated ghee in the laddus. When Luthra indicated that there were complaints about the taste of the laddus, the court asked, “The laddu that tasted different, was that sent to the lab to determine if it contained contaminated material?”
Justice Viswanathan added, “Doesn’t prudence dictate that you take a second opinion? In normal situations, we seek a second opinion. There’s no proof that the said ghee was used.”
The Supreme Court instructed Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta to seek instructions from the Centre on whether a central agency investigation is necessary and posted the next hearing to Thursday.
Earlier this month, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister alleged that animal fat was used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government, igniting a political storm. The YSR Congress then accused Naidu of making “heinous allegations” for political advantage.
The Tirupati kitchen produces around 3 lakh laddus every day, using approximately 1,500 kg of ghee, and cashew nuts, raisins, cardamoms, gram flour, and sugar.
