Tirupati Laddu Dispute Escalates with New SIT

The Tirupati laddu controversy has intensified with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his deputy Pawan Kalyan welcoming the Supreme Court's decision to set up an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate allegations of adulteration. However, former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy criticized Naidu, accusing him of spreading 'blatant lies' and politicizing the issue, as the Supreme Court found fault with Naidu for stirring religious sentiments. The court's decision to replace the state-formed SIT with an independent one, comprising officials from CBI, AP Police, and FSSAI, was seen as a rebuke of Naidu's actions. Naidu had previously claimed that adulterated ghee was used in the laddus, a charge refuted by TTD's Executive Officer who stated that such ghee was returned and not used. Jagan emphasized the damage Naidu's claims caused to the sanctity of the Tirupati temple and the faith of devotees, urging Naidu to apologize. The ongoing dispute highlights the deep political and religious sensitivities surrounding the issue.