Tirupati Temple Laddu Row: Former TTD Chief Subba Reddy Plans to Seek Supreme Court Gag Order | Video

The controversy surrounding the alleged use of adulterated ghee in the iconic Tirupati laddu prasadam intensified as former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman and YSRCP Rajya Sabha MP YV Subba Reddy announced plans to approach the Supreme Court seeking a gag order. The proposed order aims to halt what he describes as a “misinformation campaign” that is damaging the temple’s reputation and misleading devotees.

This comes amid public debate triggered by claims that nearly 20 crore laddus produced between 2019 and 2024 may have contained adulterated ghee. Subba Reddy has strongly rejected these allegations, calling them baseless, speculative, and politically motivated.

The controversy remains under probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Supreme Court. Although the probe is still underway, selective leaks have circulated online and in political circles, adding to confusion and public anxiety.

Response to Political Allegations and Misinformation

Subba Reddy expressed deep concern about how the Tirumala temple—one of the most revered spiritual centers in India—is being pulled into political disputes.

Key points from his statement:

• He accused certain political groups, particularly the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), of driving a narrative that targets him personally due to his association with YSRCP leadership.
• He reiterated that suspicious ghee tankers identified during 2019–2024 were rejected and rerouted, and never used in laddu preparation.
• The SIT has confirmed the rejection of these questionable tankers, which originally came from suppliers contracted during the previous Chandrababu Naidu government’s period.
• He criticized the circulation of incomplete or unverified figures, arguing these distort procurement processes and misrepresent fluctuations in ghee pricing under successive governments.

Subba Reddy insisted that politicization of sensitive religious matters risked not only institutional credibility but also public faith.

Measures and Assurances: Call for Transparency

To underline his confidence in the truth and fairness of the ongoing investigation, Subba Reddy said he was ready to undergo:

• Satya Sodhana Pariksha (truth verification ritual)
• A public lie detector test

He invited investigators to extend the probe across 10–15 years, instead of focusing narrowly on recent years. This, he argued, would ensure transparency and eliminate selective targeting.

He also criticised media outlets sharing partial SIT details, urging authorities to release certified laboratory reports to avoid confusion among devotees.

Legacy, Governance Issues, and Additional Allegations

Subba Reddy also highlighted reforms and positive outcomes achieved during his tenure at TTD:

Initiatives he emphasised include:

• Financial prudence through savings on large projects.
• Stricter regulation of VIP privileges, making darshan more accessible to common devotees.
• Reduced plastic usage across temple premises.
• Expanded support for goshalas and environmentally conscious programmes.

He alleged that during the previous TDP government:

• Temple funds amounting to ₹1,200 crore were placed in a private bank that later collapsed.
• These funds, he said, were shifted back to nationalised banks before the bank’s failure, preventing potential losses.

He also criticised the present administration’s handling of Vaikuntha Ekadashi token distribution, claiming organisational lapses led to crowd mismanagement and a fatal stampede.

Call to Action: Appeal for Restraint and Responsibility

Subba Reddy urged:

• The Andhra Pradesh government
• The TTD administration
• Media organisations
• And political parties

to act responsibly and refrain from circulating unverified or speculative claims until the SIT concludes its work.

Emphasising the spiritual significance of Tirumala, he said the spread of misinformation harms not only the institution but also the sentiments of millions of devotees.

Until the SIT submits its final report, Subba Reddy said he remains determined to pursue a Supreme Court gag order to prevent further damage caused by public speculation.