FAITH CONTAMINATED, NOT JUST THE 'LADDUS'

Mutt seer calls for need to take control of temples even as PIL is filed in apex court and health ministry seeks detailed report

- VJM Divakar/N Chithra

In a day of fast-paced developments, the Tirupati laddu controversy has reached the Apex Court with a petition alleging violation of Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of religion, including the right to practice.

The letter petition, addressed to the Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, has sought urgent intervention of the Supreme Court in the matter and underscores the need for temples to be managed by those who understand and respect the religious customs and sentiments of the devotees.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has asked for a detailed report and Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi has called for a detailed inquiry. "... The culprit should be punished," he told reporters.

Even as Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu revealed that the supplier who provided ghee for the Tirupati laddu had been changed, the Jyotishpeetha Sankaracharya has termed the contamination of the laddus as a crime against the entire Hindu community.

The seer released a statement which said the news of the contamination had severely hurt the faith of millions of Hindus, and that it appeared to be a major conspiracy against the entire community.