Amidst a growing controversy over the alleged use of adulterated ghee in Tirupati laddus, former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman YV Subba Reddy has announced his intention to seek a gag order from the Supreme Court. Subba Reddy, a Rajya Sabha MP representing the YSRCP, stated that he aims to halt a perceived ‘misinformation campaign’ that falsely claims approximately 20 crore laddus, produced between 2019 and 2024, were made with impure ghee. He strongly refutes these allegations, describing them as politically motivated fabrications designed to damage the TTD’s reputation and offend devotees. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), established by the Supreme Court, is currently investigating the matter, but Subba Reddy contends that selective leaks and speculative figures continue to exacerbate the situation.
Subba Reddy expressed deep regret over the politicization of the sacred Tirumala temple. He accused the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of deliberately spreading false information and targeting him personally due to his political affiliation. He clarified that any ghee tankers that were deemed suspicious were promptly rejected and never used in the laddu production process. Evidence from the SIT indicates that suspect ghee tankers from the Chandrababu Naidu government’s tenure (2019-2024) were indeed rerouted, with no impact on laddu manufacturing. Subba Reddy also pointed out that the TDP’s allegations are vague and misrepresent the temple’s ghee procurement practices and pricing, which have varied over time.
In a bid to prove his innocence, Subba Reddy has offered to undergo a ‘Satya Sodhana Pariksha’ and a public lie detector test. He is also urging the SIT to extend its probe to cover a broader period of 10-15 years, rather than focusing narrowly on recent years. He criticized the media for publishing unsubstantiated reports and called for the release of certified lab results to prevent confusion among devotees. Subba Reddy emphasized that the SIT is the official body responsible for disclosing investigation outcomes.
During his tenure as TTD Chairman, Subba Reddy highlighted positive initiatives such as significant financial savings on temple projects, stricter protocols for VIP access, a substantial reduction in plastic waste, and increased support for ‘goshalas’. He also raised issues concerning the previous TDP government’s alleged improper placement of Rs 1,200 crore of temple funds in a private bank that later failed. Furthermore, he criticized the current administration’s handling of temple events, referencing the Vaikuntha Ekadashi token distribution stampede, and reiterated his commitment to protecting the sanctity and dignity of the Tirumala temple.
Subba Reddy appealed to the government, TTD administration, and media to act responsibly, avoid spreading unverified claims, and protect the sacredness of Tirumala and its devotees. He is determined to secure a Supreme Court gag order to prevent further damage from misinformation until the SIT completes its comprehensive investigation.