Hyderabad. The Tirupati temple controversy is taking a new turn. Former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has now been barred from visiting the temple following allegations of adulteration of fish oil and animal fat in the temple’s Laddoo Prasadam. After this Jagan Mohan canceled the proposed visit to the temple. Attacking the state government, he said that demons are ruling the state. He also said why questions were being raised about his religion and his faith. Jagan said he reads the Bible at home but also respects all religions. It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has alleged that during the tenure of Jagan Mohan, ghee for laddu prasadam was adulterated.
However, after canceling the proposed visit to the temple on Friday, Jagan Mohan said – Police has issued a notice to YSR Congress Party leaders across the state regarding the temple visit. The notice said that we are not allowed to go to Tirumala temple. The rule of demons continues in the state. Jagan was scheduled to perform special rituals at the Lord Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati on Saturday, September 28.
Jagan Mohan further said- Many questions have been raised regarding my caste. I read the Bible at home but respect and follow Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. According to the Constitution, if a person of the stature of the Chief Minister is not allowed to enter the temple, then my question is how the Dalits would be treated. Earlier, the ruling Telugu Desam Party in the state had said on September 26 that Jagan would get entry into the temple only if he signs a temple declaration stating that he has faith in Lord Balaji. Non-Hindus have to sign this declaration. However, before this Jagan Mohan Reddy had visited the temple several times without signing. He has been going to the temple since 2012.
Meanwhile, a nine-member SIT formed by the Andhra Pradesh government has started investigating the case of animal fat being found in the prasadam of Tirupati. The SIT is headed by Guntur Range IG Sarvesh Tripathi. It is noteworthy that on September 18, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had alleged that vegetable oil and fish oil containing animal fat was mixed in the laddus of Tirupati temple during the YSR Congress government.