Jagan Reddy Cancels Tirupati Visit Amid Laddu Controversy

Jagan Reddy Cancels Tirupati Temple Visit Amid Laddu Controversy

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) Chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has cancelled his planned visit to the revered Tirumala temple in Tirupati. This decision comes in the wake of a nationwide controversy over allegations that animal fat was used in the preparation of the temple’s sacred laddu prasadam. Reddy cited safety and convenience concerns for the large number of devotees as the reason for his cancellation.

Jagan Reddy was scheduled to visit the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala Hills as part of a statewide ritual organized by the YSR Congress Party. These rituals were aimed at atoning for the “sins” allegedly committed by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who had accused the previous YSRCP government of using substandard ingredients and animal fat in the laddus.

The controversy erupted after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu made public accusations, claiming that the laddus made during the previous administration were of poor quality and contained animal fat. This led to widespread outrage and criticism across the country.

Reacting to Jagan Reddy’s planned visit, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Andhra Pradesh demanded that Reddy declare his faith before entering the temple. Andhra BJP leader L Dinakar stated that while Jagan Reddy has the constitutional right to follow his chosen faith, he must respect the traditions and rules of other religions. According to temple rules, non-Hindus or foreigners must declare their reverence for Lord Venkateswara before being allowed darshan at the hill shrine.

“He is trying to enter Hindu temples. He must adhere to the systems and practices of Hindu temples, or else he is ineligible to enter the Tirumala temple,” Dinakar told PTI.

Dinakar further alleged that Jagan Reddy should apologize for the “atrocities” committed against temples during his regime and for the alleged use of substandard ghee in making the sacred laddus.