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YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy canceled his visit to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, accusing the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government of obstructing his visit to the temple. However, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused Reddy of “spreading false information”.
News agency ANI quoted Naidu as saying, “Former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy claimed that the government obstructed his visit to Tirumala…No one said that Reddy should not visit the temple.”
Tirupati Laddu Row
The war of words between Naidu and Reddy came amid reports of adulterated ghee allegedly being used to make Tirupati Prasadam.
The controversy over Tirupati Prasadam started when Chandrababu Naidu claimed that during the previous YSRCP government, substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in preparing Tirupati Laddu, the prasadam offered at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati.
Naidu said he would “not spare anyone who hurts the sentiments and traditions of temples.”
‘If Jagan Reddy visits Tirumal…’
“Due to the recent controversies, Hindu sentiments have been hurt and devotees are reportedly organizing protests,” Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister said. [Jagan Reddy] While visiting Tirumala, these groups have indicated that they will also mobilize.”
Naidu said, “Police are on duty to maintain peace and order. Why are they spreading misinformation on this issue? Every religion has traditions and principles which deserve respect.”
Jagan: ‘I belong to the community of humanity’
Earlier, Jagan Mohan Reddy said, “Many questions have been raised about my caste. I read the Bible at home and respect and follow Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. I belong to the community of humanity.”
“What does the Constitution say? If a person of the stature of the Chief Minister is not allowed to enter the temple, then I question how Dalits will be treated,” ANI quoted Reddy as saying.
Naidu: ‘No Dalit was stopped from entering the temple’
In response to Reddy’s statement, Chandrababu Naidu said that Jagan Mohan Reddy is not interested in presenting the manifesto and “that is why he avoids going to Tirumala to worship Lord Balaji.”
ANI quoted Naidu as saying that his government “has not stopped any Dalit from entering temples, and we have never made such statements”.
Naidu said, “I have said that we will bring an Act which will require temples to be led by leaders of the same religion, just as churches and mosques are led by their respective heads.”
Naidu also accused Reddy of visiting Tirumala by breaking rules and regulations. He further hit out at Reddy, saying, “While you say you will read the Bible at home and respect other religions, it is necessary to respect religious traditions and follow TTD rules and regulations. As a Hindu, I worship, and when I go to a church or mosque, I also respect their traditions. We must maintain communal harmony.”
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