On the Tirupati Laddu controversy, the Supreme Court said- keep God away from politics
#News Breau September 30,2024
The Supreme Court on Monday said that people holding constitutional posts are expected to keep deities away from politics. It made these remarks while hearing petitions regarding alleged adulteration in Tirupati temple laddus. The petitions were filed following allegations of animal fat being found in ghee used to make laddus at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Vishwanathan, “This is a matter of faith. If contaminated ghee has been used, it is unacceptable.” The court asked, “What is the evidence to show that contaminated ghee was used in making the laddus.”
Justice BR Gavai replied to senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for the Andhra Pradesh government, “When you are in a constitutional position, it is expected that you… we expect that the deities will be kept away from politics.” The court also asked Rohatgi, “You ordered an SIT inquiry. What is the need to go to the press until the result comes out? You have always appeared in such cases… this is the second time.” The Supreme Court also asked what evidence is there to show that contaminated ghee was used in making the laddus. On this, Siddharth Luthra, the lawyer appearing for the Tirupati temple, told the bench that we are investigating.
Justice Gavai then asked, “Then what was the need to immediately go to the press? You need to respect religious sentiments.” When Luthra told the court that people had complained that the laddu did not taste right, the court asked, “Was the laddu, which tasted different, sent to the lab to find out if it contained any contaminants?”
Justice Vishwanathan then asked, “Doesn’t prudence tell you to take a second opinion? Under normal circumstances, we take a second opinion. There is no evidence that the said ghee was used.” Three petitions were filed by senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, Rajya Sabha MP and former TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy and historian Vikram Sampath and spiritual preacher Dushyant Sridhar.
