Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is likely to postpone his Tirumala trip amid laddu controversy on Friday. Jagan Mohan Reddy was set to depart from Gannavaram Airport on September 28 evening. He was scheduled to proceed to Tirupati at 7 PM and stay overnight at the hill shrine. On September 28, he was expected to offer prayers at the Lord Venkateswara temple.
On Friday, after his visit was reportedly postponed, former Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy said,"During Chandrababu Naidu regime from 2014 to 2019 nearly 14-15 times, the Ghee was rejected due to quality issues. There is a robust process. Similarly from 2019 to 2024, 18 times it was rejected and sent back. Whatever I am saying is all facts."
During a press conference, Jagan Reddy asserted that he belonged to the community of humanity and though he reads the Bible at home he also respects and follows Hindusim, Islam and Sikhism. He said, "Many questions have been raised about my caste. I read the Bible at home, and I respect and follow Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism. I belong to the community of humanity. What does the Constitution say? If a person equivalent to the Chief Minister is not allowed into the temple, I question how Dalits will be treated."
However, ahead of the scheduled visit, Hindu organisations held protests under the banner of "Go Back Christian Jagan." The groups opposed Jagan’s entry into the Tirumala temple without making a formal declaration of his faith.
Earlier, YSRCP raised concerns about the actions of the police and accused them of placing party leaders under house arrest. On Friday, it was reported that police might issue a notice to former CM after he landed Renigunta Airport near Tirupati to ensure that he does not defy prohibitory orders.
"Section 30 of the Police Act which regulates public assemblies and processions is in force in the district. We have noticed several postings on social media platforms asking people to gather at certain places in Tirupati. The notices are nothing but cautioning them not to come and defy orders. Jagan Mohan Reddy may also be issued a notice at the airport not to defy prohibitory orders," the official told PTI.
Jagan Mohan Reddy was scheduled to visit Tirupati temple amid CM Chandrababu Naidu allegations that the then YSRCP-government used substandard ghee with presence of animal fat for the making of laddu prasad given at Tirupati shrine.
Meanwhile, CM Naidu in a press note on Friday said, "My Government accords highest priority to safeguard the sanctity of the Lord of the Seven Hills and to preserve the sentiments of the devotees. Each pilgrim who visits Tirumala for the Darshan of the Lord takes utmost care to follow the conventions and traditions to offer prayers to the Lord. My sincere request to all pilgrims is that no devotee should act against the sentiments and temple rituals."