Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad President Swami Srinivasanda Saraswati has strongly hit out at YSR Congress Party (YCP) chief and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy over the alleged adulteration of Tirupati laddus, accusing the previous regime of grave negligence and failure to protect the sanctity of one of Hinduism’s holiest prasads.
VIDEO | Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad President Swami Srinivasanda Saraswati has made sharp remarks against YCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy over alleged adulteration of the Tirupati laddu during the previous regime. Speaking to the media in Visakhapatnam on Monday, he said they… pic.twitter.com/nf0gXgtIWY
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 9, 2026
Speaking to the media in Visakhapatnam on February 9, the seer said the Tirumala laddu, revered by millions of devotees, had remained free from controversy for decades but became a subject of concern during Jagan Mohan Reddy’s administration. He alleged that serious lapses in supervision and temple governance allowed the issue to surface, deeply hurting religious sentiments.
Allegations of adulteration and governance failures
Srinivasanda Saraswati controversially referred to the alleged adulteration as “Laddu Jihad,” claiming there may have been a conspiracy to compromise the sacred prasad. The seer claimed that reports by investigative agencies, including references to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and a Special Investigation Team (SIT), indicated serious irregularities. According to him, laddus worth nearly Rs 20 crore were allegedly adulterated, raising concerns not only about religious sanctity but also about public health. He further alleged that a “food mafia” might have played a role and warned that devotees could have been exposed to harmful substances.
Demand for action
Srinivasanda Saraswati said the SIT report had left many Hindus frightened and anxious, stressing that the Tirumala laddu is a symbol of devotion and faith for millions worldwide. He urged the current government to act decisively based on investigative findings and ensure strict punishment for those responsible. He also cautioned that such sensitive religious matters should not be politicised or mishandled. Referring to earlier controversies involving past leadership, he said sacred institutions must remain protected from administrative negligence and political interference.
