YV Subba Reddy, former Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and YSRCP Rajya Sabha MP, is preparing to petition the Supreme Court to impose a gag order on the ongoing ‘misinformation campaign’ surrounding the Tirupati laddu ‘prasadam’. The controversy centers on allegations that approximately 20 crore laddus, produced between 2019 and 2024, were made using adulterated ghee. Subba Reddy vehemently denies these accusations, deeming them politically motivated and baseless, intended to damage the reputation of the TTD and upset devotees. He emphasized that a Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) is already investigating the claims, yet selective leaks and speculative figures continue to circulate, fueling the controversy.
Expressing dismay over the politicization of the sacred Tirumala temple, Subba Reddy accused the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of fabricating false narratives and targeting him personally due to his political affiliation. He clarified that any ghee tankers that were flagged for suspicion were rejected and never used in the laddu-making process. The SIT has corroborated that suspicious ghee tankers from the period of the Chandrababu Naidu government (2019-2024) were rerouted without affecting laddu production. Subba Reddy also asserted that the TDP’s allegations lack substantiation and misrepresent the temple’s ghee procurement procedures and pricing, which have historically varied.
To prove his innocence, Subba Reddy offered to undergo a ‘Satya Sodhana Pariksha’ and a public lie detector test. He urged the SIT to conduct a wider investigation, spanning 10-15 years, instead of focusing only on the recent period. He condemned the media for spreading incomplete and speculative information and called for the release of official, certified lab reports to avoid confusing devotees. Subba Reddy reiterated that the SIT is the sole authority responsible for releasing verified investigation findings.
Subba Reddy highlighted his contributions during his tenure as TTD Chairman, including achieving financial savings in temple projects, implementing stricter controls on VIP darshan, reducing plastic usage, and supporting ‘goshalas’. He also raised concerns about the previous TDP government’s alleged illegal deposit of Rs 1,200 crore of temple funds into a private bank that later collapsed. Furthermore, he criticized the current administration for mismanagement of temple affairs, citing the Vaikuntha Ekadashi token distribution stampede, and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the dignity of the Tirumala temple.
Subba Reddy concluded with an appeal to the government, TTD administration, and media to exercise responsibility, cease the dissemination of unverified claims, and preserve the sanctity of Tirumala and the welfare of its devotees. He remains determined to secure a Supreme Court gag order to prevent further harm through misinformation until the SIT completes its official investigation.
