'I Read Bible, But My Community Is...': Jagan Reddy On Demands To Declare His Faith Amid Tirupati Laddu Row
Jagan Reddy said that Thirumana Tirupathi Devasthana (TTD) Executive Officer confirmed in September that adulterated ghee was not used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus.
After cancelling his visit to Tirumala, former Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy stated during a press conference on Friday that the he belongs to the community of humanity and though he may read the Bible at home, he respects all other religions. He made these remarks after the BJP demanded he declare his faith ahead of his Tirumala visit, and Hindu organisations held protests opposing his entry into the shrine without a formal declaration.
"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," he said.
Reddy is facing heat after CM Chandrababu Naidu alleged that adulterated ghee with presence of animal fat was used in the preparation of laddu 'prasadam' given at the Tirupati shrine during the YSRCP government's tenure. Amid this ongoing controversy, Reddy was scheduled to visit the temple and "atone for Naidu's sins".
'Naidu Telling Lies, Ghee Samples Rejected 14-15 Times In His Tenure': Reddy
During the press conference, Reddy levelled allegations against the Andhra CM, saying that he purposely brought up the laddu issue to shift political focus. He claimed Naidu was "blatantly telling lies" and that the ghee was rejected 14-15 times during his regime from 2014-2019.
"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," Reddy said.
The YSRCP chief said the procurement of ghee for the laddu preparation at the temple is a routine process that takes place every six months. He further criticised Naidu for "portraying" that animal fat was being used in the laddus which hurt Tirumala's sanctity.
"CM Chandrababu Naidu is telling lies. The ghee procurement e-tender is a routine process that has been happening for decades in every 6 months. Tirupati Laddu is very special. Since my childhood, I know that it is very special. The tender process takes place every 6 months, it’s a routine. It has been happening for years. Anyone who qualifies can participate," Reddy said.
#WATCH | Vijayawada: Former Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy says "...After the tanker reaches Thirumala Tirupati Devasthanam accompanied with the certificate, the TTD conducts three tests for every tanker. Even if one test were to fail out of the 3, the material is rejected.… pic.twitter.com/fegA6VGZo5
— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2024
Referring to the notices being sent to YSRCP cadres warning them not to defy Section 30 of the Police Act, he said: "On one side, they are serving notices to obstruct my temple visit, while on the other side, BJP cadres are coming into the state from elsewhere, and a large number of police are deployed at multiple locations. I don’t know if the BJP leadership is aware of this. To shift the political focus, CM Chandrababu Naidu has brought up the laddu issue. CM Chandrababu Naidu is portraying that animal fat was used in the laddu prasadam manufacturing, which questions the sanctity and pride of Tirumala. Is this justified? Chandrababu Naidu is blatantly lying on TTD Laddu Prasadam."
'Tirupathi's Officer Confirmed Adulterated Ghee Not Used In Laddus'
Jagan Reddy claimed that Thirumana Tirupathi Devasthana (TTD) Executive Officer confirmed in July that vegetable oil was used in the laddus. He also added that the EO confirmed in September after the controversy broke out that adulterated ghee was not used.
"The TTD Executive Officer, recruited by Chandrababu Naidu, confirmed on July 23 that vegetable fat oil that is Vanaspati Oil was involved and a show-cause notice was issued to the suppliers. The TTD EO later confirmed on September 20 that adulterated ghee was not used for making Laddu prasadam. Chandra Babu Naidu even after EO submitted the reports CM Chandrababu is spreading false allegations about our party and on Hindu sentiments and questions about the sanctity of Tirumala prasad and temple," Reddy alleged.
He claimed that not just in 2014-2019, four tankers of ghee also failed test in 2024 during Naidu's tenure and that a show-cause notice was issued to the company responsible for the refused tankers. Reddy said the materials inside these tankers were not used by TTD.
"4 tankers failed the test in July during Chandrababu Naidu's regime in 2024. The samples from those tankers should have been sent to CFTRI Mysore, but instead, they were sent to NDDB for the first time. TTD issued a show-cause notice to the company responsible for the refused tankers. The refused tanker material was not used by TTD, yet Chandrababu Naidu claims that adulterated ghee was used. I question how adulterated ghee could have been used in prasad manufacturing if the tankers were sent back? he said.
'Barring From Visiting Temple To Divert From Naidu's Deeds'
Reddy said that his party leaders and MLAs were being sent notices, barring them from visiting the temple. He said the notices were being sent by the government, warning action against the YSRCP leaders who participate in the temple program.
"Never in the history of this country we have ever witnessed such a situation people have been barred from visiting temple. These are the notices given to YSRCP cadre, MLA's, corporators. The notices say that the Ex-CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is visiting Thirumana Tirupati Devasthanam and that the program does not have the approval of the government and if any party worker participates in this program, cases would be booked on them," he said.
Jagan Reddy recalled visiting the temple before and after he became the CM and how he was invited by the TTD every year as he expressed disapointment over being stopped to visit Tirumala now.
"Several times in the past we have visited Thirumana Tirupathi Devasthana even before I became the CM. After I became the CM, every year TTD invited me and I had the opportunity to give clothes to Lord Venkateswara Swamy and today to divert the topic from the deeds that have been committed by Chandrababu Naidu, they have brought up another topic to the forefront barring people from entering the temple," Reddy said.
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