Political, hate speeches banned in Tirumala

Mangalore Today News Network

Andhra Pradesh, November 30, 2024: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has banned political and hate speeches at the Venkateswara Temple to preserve the sanctity and spiritual tranquillity of the hilltop shrine.

The temple, which welcomes an average of 60,000 devotees daily, has been at the centre of a political controversy over allegations of using adulterated ghee in the preparation of laddoo offerings.

The Tirumala temple management said that the order was issued after instances of individuals, including political leaders, making statements in front of the temple, disrupting its divine atmosphere.

"In the sacred Tirumala divine temple, which always reverberates with Govinda Namas, in the recent times, some of the person and political leaders after the darshan in Tirumala temple, making political and hate statements before the media in front of the temple, disturbing the spiritual atmosphere in Tirumala," the TTD said in a statement.

The authorities have also warned of legal action against violators and urged the public to cooperate with the directive.

Meanwhile, a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has begun its probe into the allegations of using adulterated ghee to make laddu prasad at Titumala temple during the previous YSRCP regime under Jagan Mohan Reddy. The CBI had formed the committee after the Supreme Court’s direction on constituting an independent SIT to conduct an investigation into the allegations.

In September, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that animal fat had been used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led regime, sparking a major political controversy. Responding to the accusations, the YSR Congress Party criticised Naidu for making "heinous allegations" for political gain, while the ruling Telugu Desam Party circulated a laboratory report to substantiate its claim.