'Keep Gods out of politics': SC on controversy over Tirupati laddus

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The Supreme Court on Monday told the Andhra Pradesh government to "keep Gods out of politics" and questioned it for going to press with the findings of the lab report on Tirupati laddus.

The apex court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the alleged use of animal fat in Tirupati laddus.

During the hearing, the apex court asked why Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu revealed the findings of the lab report to the media when the matter was already under investigation.

Naidu had claimed that animal fat was used in the laddus distributed as "prasad" at the Sri Venkateswara Temple during the previous YSR Congress government led by Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Justice KV Viswanathan said the lab report prima facie indicates that it was rejected ghee which was subjected to test. The bench further said that the lab report on the laddus is "unclear".

"If you [Andhra government] had already ordered investigation, what was the need to go to press? The report came in July and the statement came in September," the court said.

The bench further said that the issue "is a matter of faith", adding that "Gods should be kept out of politics".

"If this ghee was used, it's unacceptable. It has to be seen who was responsible. Ultimately, this needs to be examined," it said.

A petition, filed by Surjit Singh Yadav, a farmer and the president of the Hindu Sena, has contended that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), by serving "laddu prasadam" prepared using animal fat instead of ghee to devotees at the Sri Venkatswara Swamy temple, has ridiculed the Hindu religion and outraged the sentiments of Hindus.

The plea has said the allegation of using animal fat in preparing the "laddu prasadam" at the Sri Venkatswara Swamy temple has shaken the conscience of the Hindu community and outraged the religious feelings and sentiments of its members.

(With inputs from agencies)