The controversy surrounding the alleged adulteration of Tirupati's sacred laddus has taken a dramatic turn. The Andhra Pradesh government has unexpectedly pressed pause on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, adding another layer of intrigue to this unfolding saga.
The decision comes in the wake of the Supreme Court's critical observations regarding the state government's public pronouncements about the alleged use of impure ghee in the preparation of the laddus. The apex court, while hearing a petition related to the matter, expressed its reservations about the lack of concrete evidence to support the claims and questioned the government's decision to go public with such sensitive information.
The controversy erupted when Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, citing a laboratory report, alleged that the laddus made during the previous YSRCP government's tenure contained animal fats. These allegations, understandably, sparked outrage and hurt the religious sentiments of millions of devotees who consider the Tirupati laddu as sacred prasadam.
The subsequent political slugfest between the ruling TDP and the opposition YSRCP further fueled the controversy, with the latter vehemently denying the allegations and accusing the government of playing politics with religious sentiments.
In response to the allegations, the Andhra Pradesh government constituted an SIT to investigate the matter thoroughly. The team had already conducted inspections at Tirumala's flour mill, a crucial location where ghee is stored before being used in laddu preparation, and recorded statements from several individuals involved in the process.
However, the Supreme Court's intervention has brought the investigation to a standstill. The court, emphasizing the need to maintain the sanctity of the investigation and avoid any political interference, has questioned the government's handling of the issue and hinted at the possibility of transferring the probe to a neutral entity.
The Andhra Pradesh government, perhaps in a bid to avoid further scrutiny and maintain the integrity of the investigation, has decided to temporarily halt the SIT probe until the Supreme Court's next hearing. This decision, while aimed at demonstrating respect for the judicial process, has also raised questions about the government's intentions and the future course of the investigation.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the matter again, the fate of the SIT probe and the truth behind the laddu controversy hang in the balance.
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