A significant controversy surrounding the revered Tirupati temple laddu has prompted former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman YV Subba Reddy to seek intervention from the Supreme Court. Subba Reddy, also a YSRCP Rajya Sabha MP, announced his intention to file a petition for a gag order to halt what he terms a ‘misinformation campaign’ regarding the alleged use of adulterated ghee in the ‘prasadam’. The allegations claim that a substantial number of laddus produced between 2019 and 2024, estimated at 20 crore, were made with impure ghee. Subba Reddy vehemently denies these claims, asserting they are baseless and politically motivated, aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the TTD and hurting devotees’ sentiments. He highlighted that a Supreme Court-ordered Special Investigation Team (SIT) is already probing the matter, yet selective leaks and speculative figures continue to circulate, exacerbating the issue.
Subba Reddy voiced his deep concern over the sacred Tirumala temple being drawn into political disputes. He specifically pointed to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) as being instrumental in spreading false narratives and targeting him personally due to his political affiliation. He reiterated that any ghee tankers that raised suspicion during his tenure were promptly rejected and never utilized in the production of laddus. The SIT itself has confirmed that suspicious ghee tankers from the Chandrababu Naidu government’s period (2019-2024) were indeed rerouted without impacting laddu manufacturing. Subba Reddy also stated that the TDP’s allegations lack specific details and misrepresent the established ghee procurement processes, including pricing, which has seen fluctuations under various administrations.
Demonstrating a commitment to transparency and clearing his name, Subba Reddy expressed his willingness to undergo a ‘Satya Sodhana Pariksha’ (truth verification) and a public lie detector test. He urged the SIT to broaden its investigation to cover a period of 10-15 years, rather than narrowly focusing on the recent past. Condemning the media’s dissemination of incomplete and speculative reports, he called for the public release of certified laboratory results to prevent confusion among the faithful. He stressed that the SIT is the designated authority to officially announce any findings from its investigation.
Reflecting on his time as TTD Chairman, Subba Reddy pointed to achievements such as cost savings in temple projects, stricter controls on VIP privileges, significant reductions in plastic usage, and support for ‘goshalas’ (cow shelters). He also raised allegations against the previous TDP administration, accusing them of illegally depositing Rs 1,200 crore of temple funds in a private bank, which subsequently collapsed. He further criticized the current government’s handling of crucial temple events, citing a stampede during Vaikuntha Ekadashi token distribution that resulted in fatalities, emphasizing his dedication to upholding the sanctity of the temple.
Subba Reddy issued a strong call for responsible conduct from the government, TTD administration, and the media. He urged them to cease the propagation of unverified claims and to safeguard the sanctity of Tirumala and the well-being of its devotees. Until the SIT concludes its investigation, he remains resolute in his pursuit of a Supreme Court gag order to prevent further damage caused by the ongoing misinformation.
