Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu Criticizes Former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy Over Tirupati Prasadam Controversy
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has criticized former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for allowing non-sacred activities in Tirumala during his five-year tenure. Speaking at his residence in Vijayawada, Naidu said, “During the last 5 years, many not sacred things were done in Tirumala. Many times, even devotees protested against it. The laddu prasad and the food given at Tirumala are made with pure materials and have a very special taste. When I was CM, I had called Ramdev Baba and we planted many ayurvedic plants all around the temple.”
Naidu accused Reddy of appointing close associates to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board and using it for political gains. “The trust board appointment was like gambling. The tickets to the temple were sold as per their wish. Once we went to Tirupati and had to protest and get arrested. They appointed their close people as the board members and even gave prominence to non-Hindus. They used TTD for their political gains,” Naidu said.
He also blamed Reddy for adulterated ghee in Tirupati Prasadam, saying, “They (YSRCP) removed all the conditions and opened floodgates such that all amateur suppliers can supply. As a result of this, adulterated ghee was supplied.”
Naidu emphasized his efforts to restore purity in Tirumala by appointing Shyamala Rao as TTD EO. “When I came to power, immediately the Chief Secretary went on leave. The first thought I had was Thirumala and then I appointed Shyamala Rao as TTD EO. I briefed him that un-sacred things have happened there and you have to cleanse it all,” he said.
On September 19, Naidu stirred a political controversy by claiming that the ghee used in the preparation of Tirupati laddoo prasadam, offered at Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirupati, contained animal fat during the previous YSRCP government. Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the Tirumala hills of Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati district.
Doubts Revealed
Andhra Pradesh -: Andhra Pradesh is a state in the southern part of India. It has many famous places, including the Tirumala temple.
CM -: CM stands for Chief Minister. The Chief Minister is the head of the government in a state in India.
Nara Chandrababu Naidu -: Nara Chandrababu Naidu is a politician in India. He is the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy -: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is also a politician in India. He was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh before Nara Chandrababu Naidu.
Tirupati Prasadam -: Tirupati Prasadam is a special food given to devotees at the Tirumala temple. It is considered very holy and pure.
Tirumala -: Tirumala is a hill town in Andhra Pradesh. It is famous for the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, a very important Hindu temple.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) -: TTD is an organization that manages the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. They take care of the temple’s activities and services.
adulterated ghee -: Adulterated ghee means ghee (a type of clarified butter) that has been mixed with other substances, making it impure.
Shyamala Rao -: Shyamala Rao is a person appointed by Nara Chandrababu Naidu to be the Executive Officer (EO) of TTD. The EO is responsible for managing the temple’s activities.