Ayodhya Priests Demand Action Over Adulterated Ghee in Temple Laddus

Ayodhya priests have supported the Supreme Court's statement of keeping God away from politics and have demanded strict action for the alleged use of adulterated ghee in the preparation of laddus served as prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala.

Priests' Statements

Priest Bhuneshwar Shashtri of Katra Kuti Dham Temple in Ayodhya said, "God should be kept away from politics. God is not involved in the politics. In this, some people with contaminated minds are involved. We condemn the use of adulterated ghee in the Prasadam. We demand strict action. We request SC to investigate this matter and pass the right judgement so in future no Hindu sentiments are hurt."

Acharya Chitranshu Maharaj of Bade Hanuman Temple added, "Lord Rama is not a political topic but of devotion. Crores of Hindus are devoted to Lord Balaji. The founding of fish oil and other animal oils in the Laddu Prasadam is very unfortunate. We want strict actions on all those responsible. We know who the culprit is. Firstly, the trustees are the culprit. Secondly, the agency that was assigned to provide ghee is also responsible."

Supreme Court's Involvement

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court questioned Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu for making public allegations about the use of adulterated ghee for the preparation of laddus. A bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan criticised the Chief Minister, saying there is no conclusive proof yet to substantiate that contaminated ghee was used in preparation of prasadam laddus. It questioned the need to make a public statement on the issue when a probe had already been ordered by the state into the allegations.

During the hearing, the top court asked the Andhra Pradesh government whether the alleged adulterated laddus had been sent for testing. There was no prima facie evidence to show that the ghee in question was used in the process of making laddus, the bench said as it read the lab report. It asked, "Whether such a statement should have been made that affects the sentiments of the devotees? What was the need of going to the press and making a public statement when SIT was ordered?"

Petitions Filed

The top court was hearing petitions filed by Subramanium Swamy, Rajya Sabha MP and ex TTD Chairman YV Subba Reddy, Surjit Singh Yadav, President of non-government organisation Hindu Sena Samiti, historian Vikram Sampath, chairman managing director (CMD) and the editor-in-chief of Sudarshan Suresh Chavhnake and others. Petitions sought a court-monitored investigation into the allegations levelled by TDP-led Andhra Pradesh government regarding use of adulterated ghee in preparation of laddus at the Tirumala Tirupati Temple during the previous YSRCP regime.