TIRUPATI: YSR Congress president and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy would visit Tirumala on Friday to offer prayers at the Lord Venkateswara temple the next morning.
Jagan Reddy’s visit is part of a series of rituals organised by his party across various temples in the state in the aftermath of its election debacle.
The rituals aim to atone for what the YSRC claims as a “sin” committed by chief minister Chandrababu Naidu by way of alleging that adulterated ghee was used for making the Tirumala Srivari Laddus during the YSRC term.
Jagan’s visit, however, stirred controversy amidst the ongoing laddu row. Ruling parties, including the Telugu Desam, Jana Sena and BJP have demanded that Jagan Reddy publicly declare his ‘faith’ before entering the shrine.
They demanded that Jagan Reddy sign a declaration, as required by TTD guidelines, affirming his belief in Lord Venkateswara before entering the temple.
“Jagan visited the Tirumala temple several times during his tenure as CM, and TTD officials have not enforced the declaration requirement during those visits. The temple authorities showed favouritism due to Jagan’s high political position. Now he should declare his faith in Lord Venkateswara before entering the temple,” TD spokesperson Anam Venkataramana Reddy said.
"According to GO MS 311 of AP Revenue Endowments -1, Rule 16, non-Hindus must submit a faith declaration at the Vaikuntam queue complex before entering the temple. Rules 136 and 137 of the TTD General Rules also require non-Hindus to disclose their religion and sign the declaration before being granted access.
Jana Sena’s Tirupati constituency in-charge, Kiran Rayal, warned that they would obstruct Jagan Reddy’s visit if he did not sign the declaration.
BJP state spokesperson Bhanu Prakash also threatened to block Jagan’s entry to the temple if the declaration is not signed. He demanded that Jagan apologize to the Hindu community for the alleged adulteration of ghee in the laddu prasadam and comply with the TTD’s rules.
BJP workers led by Bhanu Prakash held a protest near Garuda statue at the TTD, displaying the TTD declaration form.
