Tirupati laddu row intensifies: VHP demands temples be handed to Hindu society

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has ignited controversy by demanding that the control of Hindu temples, including the revered Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), be handed over to Hindu society. This comes in response to claims of impurities in the sacred Tirupati laddu, including the alleged use of animal fat, which the VHP describes as an “intolerable” violation of Hindu customs.

Bajrang Bagda, Secretary General of the VHP, has been vocal about the need for Hindu religious institutions to be freed from government management. According to Bagda, the involvement of non-Hindu officials in temple administration leads to the contamination of rituals and prasad (consecrated food), as seen in the Tirupati laddu scandal. He called for urgent legal action against those allegedly responsible for the desecration of the laddu, a sacred offering at the Tirumala temple.

VHP’s strong stance against government control

The VHP has long held the belief that government control over Hindu temples compromises religious sanctity. Bagda insists that government oversight brings politics into religious affairs, undermining the integrity of temple rituals. In the case of Tirupati, he argued that the involvement of non-Hindu administrators could be why animal fat reportedly ended up in the laddu, a sweet consumed by millions of devotees. This incident, according to Bagda, reinforces the VHP’s demand for the government to relinquish control over temples and allow Hindu society to take over their management.

The VHP is not limiting its demands to the Tirupati temple alone. Vinod Bansal, a national spokesperson for the organisation, highlighted that over 400,000 temples across India are under government control, with many experiencing similar issues. Bansal asserted that Hindu society is the rightful trustee of these temples, and government interference has compromised the sacredness of religious practices. He confirmed that the VHP plans to launch a nationwide campaign to free Hindu religious sites from government management.

The broader political implications

The Tirupati laddu controversy has not only ruffled religious feathers but has also become a political flashpoint. Chandrababu Naidu, leader of the Telugu Desam Party, accused the previous YSR Congress Party government of allowing substandard and impure ingredients, including animal fat, to be used in the preparation of the laddu during their tenure. The YSR Congress Party has vehemently denied these allegations, accusing Naidu of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain.

Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, has weighed in on the issue, calling for authorities across the country to protect the sanctity of religious spaces. Gandhi expressed concern that the allegations surrounding the Tirupati laddu point to a deeper need for transparency and accountability in the management of sacred sites.

In response to the public outcry, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams administration has launched an inquiry into the matter, particularly focusing on the quality of ghee used in the laddu’s preparation. The administration hopes to allay fears and restore the faith of millions of devotees who hold the Tirupati laddu in high esteem.

Expert opinion: The delicate balance of faith and governance

Religious experts and scholars argue that the ongoing dispute highlights the delicate relationship between faith and governance in India. The VHP’s demand for Hindu society to take over temple management stems from a long-standing belief that religious institutions should remain autonomous. The government, however, argues that its oversight ensures transparency and prevents the misuse of temple funds and assets.

While the VHP sees government involvement as a threat to religious integrity, others argue that government management ensures accountability and prevents corruption. The debate raises broader questions about the role of the state in religious affairs and whether India’s secular framework allows for religious communities to fully control their places of worship.

The VHP’s call for mass protests and their planned campaign to “free” Hindu temples from government control is likely to resonate with many devout Hindus, especially in the wake of the Tirupati laddu scandal. As the issue gains national attention, it may become a significant point of contention in the run-up to future elections, with political parties aligning themselves either in support of government oversight or in favour of religious autonomy.

The Tirupati laddu row has brought the debate over temple management to the forefront of national discourse. The VHP’s demands for Hindu society to reclaim control over temples reflect a broader pushback against government involvement in religious affairs. With political, religious, and cultural ramifications, the controversy is unlikely to subside anytime soon.