YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and leader of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), canceled his visit to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple on September 27, 2024, citing hurdles created by the government.
While Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged that Mr. Jagan did not wish to declare his faith in Lord Venkateswara as per the local tradition and hence canceled his visit, the YSRCP chief blamed the NDA government for cracking down on political dissent under the guise of religion.
Mr. Jagan said that he is a humanist above all but did not say whether he would express faith in Lord Venkateswara.
TDP leaders pointed out that even former President Abdul Kalam and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had declared their faith at the temple before they visited the deity.
The background
The famed Tirupati laddus, offered as prasadam at Tirumala Venkateswara temple, were at the center of a storm when claims arose about the use of adulterated ghee, allegedly containing animal fat, during Mr. Jagan’s tenure as CM.
The controversy continued as Mr. Jagan planned to visit the temple as part of a statewide temple ritual aimed at atoning for what he described as the ‘sin’ committed by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) over allegations concerning the purity of Tirupati laddus.
The YSRCP Chief vehemently denied the allegations of adulteration, accusing the TDP of politicizing religion for political gains. He claimed the ghee in question was never used for laddu preparation, emphasizing the rigorous testing procedures at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which he said confirmed the non-use of adulterated ghee.