- A heated exchange unfolded between Andhra Pradesh’s former CM Chandrababu Naidu and current CM Jagan Mohan Reddy over the Tirupati Lord Venkateshwara Temple visit.
- Naidu accused Reddy of spreading lies about being obstructed from visiting the temple, while Reddy postponed his visit citing respect for temple traditions.
- The conflict also involved accusations over the quality of the famous Tirupati laddus, sparking national attention.
Why Are Faith Declarations Causing Political Sparks in Andhra Pradesh?
A war of words has erupted between two major political figures of Andhra Pradesh—former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and current CM Jagan Mohan Reddy—over a faith declaration at the famous Tirupati Lord Venkateshwara Temple. The issue came to light when Reddy postponed his planned temple visit, blaming the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government for obstructing his entry. Naidu quickly fired back, challenging Reddy’s claims and accusing him of lying about the situation.
The controversy centers around a rule requiring non-Hindus and foreigners to declare their reverence for Lord Venkateswara before they are allowed to have darshan (a holy visit) at the Tirupati shrine. As the current Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Reddy, who follows Christianity, has faced scrutiny regarding this faith declaration. Naidu, seizing the opportunity, stressed that political leaders should respect temple traditions and accused Reddy of disregarding them.
What Did Jagan Reddy and Naidu Say About the Temple Visit?
Jagan Reddy, leader of the YSR Congress Party, postponed his visit to the Tirupati temple, claiming that police notices had been issued to his party leaders, warning them not to participate in the visit. He further accused Chandrababu Naidu’s government of conspiring to create religious and law-and-order problems by involving the BJP from neighboring states.
However, Naidu denied Reddy’s accusations, challenging him to show any official notice that barred his entry. Naidu emphasized the importance of respecting religious traditions, particularly when it comes to worship at sacred temples like Tirupati. “No one is above the traditions and beliefs of the devotees,” Naidu remarked, adding that any deviation from these traditions would be disrespectful.
Conclusion: Laddus, Traditions, and a Growing Political Storm
The faith declaration issue has only added to the existing tension between the two political leaders, who have been at odds over various matters, including a recent controversy regarding the famous Tirupati laddus. Naidu accused the previous YSR Congress Party regime of compromising the quality of the sacred laddus by using substandard ghee, a claim that sparked a national debate. Reddy dismissed the allegations as a distraction from Naidu’s failures in his first 100 days of governance, accusing the former CM of manufacturing the controversy to divert public attention.
While Jagan Reddy has yet to announce a new date for his Tirupati temple visit, the debate around faith, politics, and tradition continues to heat up. The temple declaration issue, though seemingly minor, has become a symbol of the larger political struggle between Naidu and Reddy, highlighting how faith and tradition can intersect with the complexities of modern politics.
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