Sacred Scandal: How Tirupati Temple's Dual Controversies Shake Faith and Politics in Andhra Pradesh

Tirumala Tirupati, the sacred abode of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy and one of the world's wealthiest Hindu temples, now stands at the center of two major controversies shaking devotees and political circles throughout Andhra Pradesh.

The first scandal involves the adulteration of ghee used in preparing the temple's sacred Laddu Prasadam. In September 2024, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu revealed shocking laboratory findings indicating animal fat and fish oil contamination in the ghee. He placed blame directly on former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's administration for this negligence.

In response, the government established a Special Investigation Team (SIT), later supplemented by a Supreme Court-appointed investigative team. Recently, the CBI-supervised SIT interrogated YV Subba Reddy, former TTD chairman and YSRCP Rajya Sabha MP, regarding the ghee adulteration that allegedly occurred during his leadership. As YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's uncle, his questioning has created visible tension within YSRCP ranks.

Investigators claim that between 2019 and 2024, approximately 20 crore laddus were produced using ghee contaminated with palm oil and industrial chemicals. While YV Subba Reddy denies any wrongdoing and accuses political opponents of spreading incomplete information, his interrogation has intensified pressure on the YSRCP.

The second controversy involves the Parakamani (donation box) theft case. CV Ravi Kumar, head clerk of Pedda Jeeyar mutt and primary suspect, was reportedly caught stealing $900 from devotee donations on April 29, 2023. After police filed charges on May 30, 2023, Ravi Kumar and his wife donated seven properties worth Rs 14.4 crore (market value estimated at Rs 40 crore) to the TTD, which accepted these donations on June 19, 2023.

A compromise settlement at the Lok Adalat court in Tirupati on September 9, 2023, resulted in Ravi Kumar's acquittal. However, following the TDP's return to power, the investigation was reopened. The Andhra Pradesh High Court subsequently invalidated the Lok Adalat orders, directing the CID and Anti-Corruption Bureau to reinvestigate and submit findings by December 2.

The intensified CID investigation has led to questioning of numerous former TTD officials, including former chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, a prominent YSRCP figure. Though Reddy denies wrongdoing and claims political motivation behind the probe, senior YSRCP members now face potential arrest as both investigations advance.

The controversies carry significant implications at the intersection of faith and politics. Nearly 3 crore devotees worldwide visit Tirumala Tirupati annually, including residents from Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra Pradesh, plus influential Telugu NRIs who represent an important voting bloc.

The ruling TDP-led NDA positions itself as defender of temple sanctity while criticizing YS Jagan's previous administration. Meanwhile, the YSRCP alleges that the sacred temple is being exploited for political advantage and to settle personal scores between rival factions.