Jagan Reddy Tirupati Visit Row: Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has canceled his scheduled visit to Tirumala temple on September 28. This step was taken amid security concerns and demand for a ‘declaration of faith’ from opposition leaders. TDP, BJP and Jana Sena accused Reddy that since he believed in Christianity, he should declare his religious faith before entering the temple.
Amidst this entire controversy, Jagan Reddy has launched a scathing attack on his opponents, especially TDP chief and former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, saying that there is “demon rule” in the state. It was alleged that the laddus of Tirupati temple were made using embalmed fat. Jagan Mohan Reddy was going to visit Tirupati temple for the first time after this controversy came to light.
‘I read the Bible but…’
Jagan Mohan Reddy said, “I have never seen any political party obstructing me from going to the temple. Questions have been raised repeatedly about my caste and religion. I read the Bible at home, but Hindu, Islam and Sikh I also respect religion. My religion is humanity. If a person equal to the Chief Minister is not allowed to enter the temple, then how will the Dalits be treated?
This is not the first time that there has been controversy regarding Jagan Mohan Reddy’s religion. His political opponents often try to prove him as ‘anti-Hindu’. Reddy has earlier also openly admitted that he follows Christianity and reads the Bible. Reddy has been continuously targeted on this issue during his tenure as Chief Minister. Opposition parties have also been accusing him of desecration of temples and promoting religious conversion in the state.
Why is there any hesitation in signing the manifesto: BJP leader
As per Rule No. 136 and 137 of the General Rules of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), only Hindus are allowed to worship in the Tirumala temple and every non-Hindu has to voluntarily inform TTD about his religion. And for non-Hindus, they are allowed to enter the Tirumala temple after signing the declaration. As per GO MS NO-311, non-Hindus are required to make a declaration of faith in the Vaikuntam queue complex before having darshan.
BJP leader Yamini Sharma Sadineni has targeted Jagan Mohan Reddy over his statements. She says, “YSRCP President Jagan Mohan Reddy is still trying to mislead people with false statements and his leaders have already started a new drama. If he actually believes in Lord Venkateswara then he He can go and sign the manifesto and have darshan, but he is not doing so.”
The BJP leader further says, “On one hand, he is saying that he is a Hindu but his wife is a Christian. So if you are a true Hindu then who is stopping you and what is stopping you from signing the manifesto? Secondly, YSRCP leaders falsely claimed that the alliance parties have planned an attack on Jagan Mohan Reddy for which the state government and police have served notice to YSRCP leaders and asked them not to accompany them during their visit to Tirumala This is completely false.”
#WATCH Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh: BJP leader Yamini Sharma Sadineni says, “YSRCP president Jagan Mohan Reddy is still trying to mislead people with false statements and his leaders have already started a new drama. If he really believes in Lord Venkateswara he can go and sign… pic.twitter.com/w5Hw2o76XI
— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2024
What is the whole controversy?
The controversy started when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu accused the government of former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy of using ghee containing animal fat in the Prasad. CM Chandrababu Naidu had cited a report in July in which it was said that the ghee used in the temple was adulterated.
A lab report on the use of ghee included terms like beef tallow (fat derived from beef) and lard (fat derived from pork), causing a stir. The issue created anger in political and religious communities. According to the report, among the foreign fats used in ghee, soybean, sunflower, cotton seed, and fish oil are at first place. Next are coconut and palm kernel fats, while the third column mentions palm oil as well as beef tallow and lard. Beef tallow refers to fat extracted from cow or buffalo meat, while lard refers to fat extracted from pork meat.
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