The YSRCP led by Jagan Reddy, has faced significant criticism for allegedly undermining Hindu sentiments and transforming the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board into a tool for personal and political gain.
Initially, Jagan Reddy appointed his uncle as the head of the TTD board in 2021, despite allegations of the uncle’s “anti-Hindu leanings.” Due to public outrage, the decision was eventually reversed. Jagan Reddy, being a Christian, faced accusations of appointing non-Hindus to key religious roles. Although his uncle insisted he was a practicing Hindu, the appointment raised concerns about the government’s sensitivity to Hindu beliefs. Later, Karunakar Reddy was appointed to the board, despite claims of his Christian affiliations. Controversy intensified when his daughter’s Christian wedding became public, further fueling the belief that the government was disregarding Hindu religious sentiments in such appointments.
On August 1, 2023, the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) demanded higher prices to continue supplying ghee for the temple’s use. When the TTD refused to meet their demands, the contract was awarded to a different supplier, breaking a 50-year tradition. This cost-saving measure drew criticism, as the funds for temple welfare come from donations by devotees. Lab reports later confirmed that the ghee purchased from traders in other states was adulterated with beef tallow, pig fat, and other impurities, causing outrage. Many viewed this adulteration as sacrilege, accusing the YSRCP government of disrespecting Hindu religious practices.
Eventually, the KMF resumed supplying its famous Nandini Ghee for the preparation of Tirupati’s sacred laddus, with the previous TDP government under Chandrababu Naidu being credited for restoring the purity of the temple’s prasadam production process.
The YSRCP government had also expanded the TTD board to 81 members, including the chairman and 52 special invitees, raising questions about the board’s composition. Critics argued that the board was filled with individuals seen as political loyalists rather than people committed to upholding the temple’s traditions. Additionally, the government amended the Endowments Act to allow for the appointment of special invitees, which was seen by many as an attempt to use the TTD board for political favors.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenged the appointment of 18 board members, leading the Andhra Pradesh High Court to suspend the government’s order. The PIL contended that 14 of the appointed members had criminal backgrounds, and several others were selected for purely political reasons. This raised further concerns that the YSRCP government had failed to ensure that the appointees respected the Hindu customs and traditions upheld at Tirupati.
Why YSRCP Jagan Reddy Government’s accused of having made a mockery of Hindu aastha and also reducing the TTD temple board into a personal fief undermining majority community interests. Here are some insights.
HARD FACT: YSRCP Jagan Reddy government appointed first his uncle to… pic.twitter.com/P2BHjqhg1L
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) September 20, 2024
(With inputs from Rahul Shivshankar’s tweet)