Supreme Court Chastises Naidu: Keep Deities Out of Political Discourse
(Judicial Quest News Network)
In a significant development on Monday, the Supreme Court of India rebuked Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for his reckless assertions regarding the alleged use of animal fat in the revered Tirupati laddu. The court underscored the importance of separating divine matters from political agendas, emphasizing that Naidu’s public statements lacked substantiation and could potentially disrupt the sentiments of millions of devotees.
A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and V.K. Viswanathan expressed discontent with Naidu’s hasty declarations, made prior to any formal investigation into the matter. The court highlighted that the Andhra Pradesh government had only recently established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the allegations, with the First Information Report (FIR) being filed just a day prior, on September 25. However, Naidu had already taken to the media on September 18, making sweeping claims without any credible evidence to support them.
The court’s observations were sharp: “When an investigation is underway, it is inappropriate for a high constitutional functionary to go public with statements that can stir the emotions of countless people.” Justice Gavai added that Naidu should have exercised more caution and decorum in his public discourse, especially given the religious significance of the laddu.
During the proceedings, the bench requested the SIT to refrain from further actions until the next hearing on October 3. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was asked to assist the court in deliberating whether the investigation should continue under the SIT or be transferred to an independent central agency for greater impartiality.
Justice Viswanathan pointed out that existing test reports did not provide prima facie evidence to support claims that animal fat had been used in the preparation of the laddu. “As of now, there is nothing to indicate that the ghee utilized was contaminated,” he stated. The justices probed the circumstances surrounding the sampling process, questioning whether the samples sent for testing had indeed been taken from the same batch of ghee used for the prasadam.
In a further rebuttal to Naidu’s allegations, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the state, referred to statements from the Chief Executive Officer of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), who categorically denied any misuse of ghee in the prasadam. Rohatgi affirmed, “In fact, contaminated ghee has never been used; it’s always been 100% pure.”
Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing the TTD, confirmed that complaints about the laddu’s testing were increasing but failed to clarify which specific batch had been tested erroneously. Justice Gavai, pressing for clarity, asked, “Which laddu that tested incorrectly was sent for testing then?”
Rohatgi noted that the petition prompting this inquiry was filed by a former Rajya Sabha member, asserting it was motivated by genuine concerns, but the bench viewed it as an attempt to undermine the current government. The court recognized the need for a thorough investigation into the allegations and the establishment of a regulatory mechanism governing religious affairs and the manufacturing of prasadam.
As the case continues, the Supreme Court has made it clear: political figures must tread carefully when invoking religious sentiments, ensuring that divine matters remain sacred and free from political manipulation.
