Vijayawada, Nov 22: Former Chairman YV Subba Reddy strongly condemned the news item that claimed nearly 20 crore Tirumala laddus were prepared using adulterated ghee between 2019 and 2024. He said he fully supported the investigation being conducted by the SIT and expressed readiness to cooperate with it at any time. He stated that honest investigation was welcome, but propaganda-based leaks without scientific results were dangerous and misleading.
Subba Reddy said that Chandrababu Naidu, as Chief Minister, previously made malicious remarks that animal fat was used in the preparation of laddus. He stated that to counter such false allegations, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court, and the court directed the formation of a CBI-monitored SIT to examine whether animal fat was used or not. He added that now, before the SIT completes its inquiry, the same narrative is being circulated again, which is the reason he is issuing this statement. He said the investigation should be allowed to conclude and the SIT should decide the matter scientifically, while the media must stick to facts rather than rumours.
Subba Reddy pointed out that the allegations lacked consistency from the beginning. He said that first it was claimed that vegetable fat was mixed with ghee, and later the allegation changed to animal fat. He questioned why those making accusations kept changing their narrative and did not wait for verified laboratory results. He asked whether the SIT had officially confirmed the presence of animal fat or not, and demanded that the truth be declared only after laboratory proof is available.
He reminded that officials themselves had earlier stated that the four suspicious ghee tankers were rejected and sent back without being used. He questioned how the same four tankers were suddenly being discussed again when they should not have entered the premises without laboratory clearance. He demanded that those claiming adulteration present scientific proof before making public accusations that hurt the faith of crores of devotees.
Subba Reddy also responded to the allegations based on ghee procurement rates, pointing out that ghee purchased during his term at 326 per kilogram was being labelled as adulterated. He reminded that during the 2017–18 period, ghee was purchased at 273.95, 276 and 279 per kilogram. He asked whether, by the same logic, that ghee was also adulterated and whether laddus prepared in those years were impure. He said that politically motivated misinformation was damaging Tirumala’s sanctity and was being used only to target the YSRCP. He urged media houses to be responsible, not fall for TDP propaganda, and not support malicious political campaigns that undermine public faith.
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