Former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman and YSR Congress party’s Rajya Sabha member Y V Subba Reddy on Thursday strongly refuted allegations regarding the adulteration of ghee in making of the sacred Tirupati laddu.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Subba Reddy asserted that he was prepared to undergo a polygraph test to prove his innocence. He reiterated that the during his regime, the TTD had already issued a white paper on its assets and operations.
Reddy recalled that he had provided the same explanations earlier before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged use of adulterated ghee in laddu preparation.
Questioning the scope of the inquiry, he asked why investigations were restricted only to the period between 2019 and 2024 and not extended to earlier years.
Accusing political parties of dragging religious institutions into electoral battles, Reddy argued that a misinformation campaign was being run against him. He emphasised that he had never committed any wrongdoing in matters concerning the deity and had worked only to enhance the temple’s reputation.
He noted that he had taken the Ayyappa Deeksha thirty times and would not violate sacred norms.
Reddy reminded that he had previously filed a petition in the Supreme Court when allegations surfaced that animal fat had been used in laddu preparation. “If I were guilty, why would I approach the Supreme Court?” he asked.
He criticised the media for what he called irresponsible reporting, especially while the SIT investigation is underway. According to him, laboratory tests had found no clarity on whether the contamination claim involved animal fat or vegetable oil.
He added that ghee tankers were inspected before use and questioned how adulterated ghee could have entered the preparation process. Reddy called for a comprehensive SIT probe into ghee procurement and alleged adulteration during the previous government’s tenure.
He also highlighted several reforms initiated during his leadership, including the removal of L1 and L2 darshan categories, introduction of the Srivani darshan system for transparency, complete ban on plastic in Tirumala, support to 516 goshalas, and establishing the Padmavathi Children’s Hospital.
On the Parakamani misappropriation case, Reddy confirmed that he has been summoned by the CID and will appear for questioning in Vijayawada. He distanced himself from the involvement of his former personal assistant Appanna, stating that the latter had no role in TTD affairs.
