Omkar Dattatray
For clean politics and religious freedom as well as for Gods santity, it is in the fitness of things to spare gods and keep gods out of politics. Keeping Gods out of petty and dirty politics is not a new thing, however it has been observed the top court of India while giving its observation in connection with the Tirupati Laddoo Row the other day as the Supreme court has observed in no uncertain terms while giving admonition to Andhra Pradesh government and has asked all to stay away from politics as far as the Tirupati Laddoo controversy is concerned .Religion and Gods need to be kept away from politics and it means that there should be no politicking over gods and religion and the politicians should keep this truth in mind while doing politics. A bench of Justice B.R Gavai and K.V Vishwanathan also asked why was there a need to make a public statement when a probe had already ordered into the matter. Observing that at least the Gods should be kept away from politics, the SC sought to know what was the proof that contaminated ghee was used in making Tirupati Laddu’s. The hearing in the matter is underway .The bench is hearing a batch of pleas seeking a probe into the alleged use of animal fat in making Tirupati laddus. AP Chief minister Naidu claimed that animal fat was used in preparing Tirupati laddus during the previous government of Reddy triggering a massive political row out of a religious issue.The YSRC Party has accused Naidu of indulging in ”heinous allegations”for political gains.All stakeholders should now wait the Top Courts decision on the matter.If true what has happened with the Triupati Laddu’s so far as it pertains to the use of adultered ghee is very unfortunate and it needs through investigation and probe to unearth the whole truth about the mixing of animal fats with the ghee which was used to prepare laddus which were offered to the deity and were also taken as Prasad.It seems that there is a planned conspiracy to make the religious sanctity of Tirupati Bala Devesthanum and temple unholy and profane and thus to incite communal tension in the multi-religious society and country.There is genuine anger and resentment among the people against the sacrilegious act of mixing animal fats to the ghee that was used in the preparation of the laddus in Andhra Pradeshs Tirupati Bala ji mandir and also offered to the deity.TDP and YSCR,s Jagan Mohan Reddy are indulging in worst kind of politics on this issue and one blaming other for this unholy act.The politics is in full swing in the state and there is no respite from the dirty politics.The Tirupati Laddu controversy has both political as well as religious dimensions.The issue has besides snowballing into a religious controversy,has also stretched too far and the Andhra chief minister Chandra Babu Naidu has made the issue a political weapon to set scores with his predecessor Jagan Mohan Reddy.Thus both the TDP of Naidu and YSCR of Reddy are busy in politicking this religious issue and both want to take political mileage of this unfortunate issue that will reach to the whole country and it has the potential to disturb the communal harmony in our diverse and plural society.The majority community deserve praise for having maintained communal harmony and mutual brotherhood despite the severe provocation and indulging into the profane act of allegedly mixing animal fats into pure vegetarian Laddu offered to the deity.
The VHP has rightly urged the Chandra Babu Naidu,chief minister of Andhra Pradesh to establish Gaushalas in the state to house and feed 30000 cows so that pure ghee is made and supplied to the Turipati Balaji Temple for the preparation of the lakhs of laddu’s daily for sale.The matter of adulterated ghee used to supply to the management ofTuripati Balaji Devasthanam which was used to prepare the Laddus has reached the top Court of India.Congress and BJP as well also use it to score political points and use the issue to their advantage.Still some others see and consider it as a purely religious issue which in fact it is not given the politico-religious impact and influence of this issue.Again some others regard it as a food security matter and demand strict use of procedures to contain such adulteration in the interest of people’s health .Others see it as a religious issue and demand that such issues and mixing of animal fats to ghee used to supply and prepare sacred laddu’s should be totally prohibited for the preservation of the religious sanctity of the holy place and shrine of Tirupati Balaji temple.The religious leaders opine that laddu is a divine food and contaminated Laddu’s should not be offered to Lord.The political controversy encircling the issue of Laddu’s points towards the delicate balance between politics,religion,food quality and last but not the least the public.The Laddu’s for prasadam and sale are made with pure ghee and ingredients such as sugar,cardamom,raisins,cashews and grain floor are used to prepare Laddu’s which are offered to deity daily and sold as Prasad to the devotees.The Laddu’s sale also fetch Rs 500 crores yearly by way of selling these to the people.It is very disturbing that Naidu seized the Laddu row to attack Jagan.
He alleged that the Reddy government of allowing contaminated Laddu with beef fat in the ghee as Prasad.Nadiu raised it at a celebration of the Modi’ governments 100 days in office in the third term,remember TDP is a coalition partner in the NDA government of Modi.Laddu’s came into scanner in late sixties and seventies as well.At that time there were complaints that dalda vanaspati ,a vegetable fat was added to the gee.Thus the suppliers were blocked .TDP used the Laddu issue as Naidu ,claiming that the Japan governments cost cutting measures led to the purchase of low-quality ghee ,thus compromising the quality of the Tirnula Laddu.TDP and in fact its chief Naidu accused Jagan of ignoring the sentiments of Hindus and also of neglect of religious practices of Hindus during his rule.The allegations assume importance because Jagan and his late father and CM ,Rajashekar Reddy are converted Christians.
On his side Reddy refuted the allegations saying that it was politically motivated.Jagan also complained to PM Narendra Modi that under the garb of Laddu controversy Naidu was settling political scores against him.Jagan did not stop here but his YSRCP also criticized CM Naidu and performed the purification ceremony.The politics in the state is so intense and personal that Jagan was not allowed to permission to enter the temple for any penance.The Laddu controversy has assumed enormous proportions with Jagn’s sister Sharmila joining state Congress and became the chief of the Congress in Andhra Pradesh and she has taken the issue to State governor and has demanded a CBI probe.Pawan Kalyan a coalition partner in Naidu’s government has taken the issue as a religious one and has gone on an 11 day penance claiming the corrupted ghee was a grave offence.Naidu plays a political card and Kalayan plays a religious card projecting Sanatan Ddharma should be protected.
The Laddu row has sparked nationwide outrage among seers and devotees .The VHP,other seers and Hindu saints have demanded a thorough investigation to bring out the truth.This row has also led to demands that temples should be freed from government control.The matter has gone to Supreme Court as well and the petitioner demanding a constitution of a special team to probe the issue.
The state government has also set up a committee to go into the issue.The centre has asked the state government to send a report in this regard.AIMIM chief and MP Owasi has for the first time since the eruption of Laddu controversy said that it is bad if the animal fats were mixed in the ghee used for the preparation of Laddu’s as animal fats are prohibited in Hinduism.
But in the same breath he has criticized the Modi government for piloting a bill to control Waquf Boards as it is an assault on the religious freedom of Muslims.
The TDP conducted a purification ritual and tried to assure the devotees that Laddu’s were not contaminated.The issue may not die soon as the SC is seized of the row and it will take a long time to pronounce the verdict on the Laddu controversy.This sensitive issue if not controlled can damage the communal harmony in the country.All are looking towards the top Court for a verdict to close the issue and balm the religious feelings and sensitivities of the Hindu community after all Hindu feelings were hurt by the contaminated Laddu’s.
(The author is a columnist,social and KP activist)