Protests erupt in Tirupati over 'cow deaths' at TTD gaushala; YSRCP leader booked
Situation is tense in Tirupati as YSRCP leaders accuse ruling TTD of negligence leading to 100 cow deaths; political showdown intensifies with house arrests
Political tensions erupt in Tirupati after allegations surfaced over the deaths of over 100 cows due to 'negligence' at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) gaushala (cow shed).
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by former TTD chairman B Karunakar Reddy, accused the administration of gross negligence, igniting a full-blown row that quickly escalated into street protests and political drama.
Karunakar Reddy lay on the road protesting, joined by Tirupati MP M Gurumoorthy and others, after police prevented them from visiting the facility.
The controversy centres on claims that over 100 cows have died at the SC goshala facility in the last three months.
Complaint lodged
Meanwhile, the city police have registered a case against the former chairman and YSRCP leader B Karunakar Reddy.
TTD Board member Bhanuprakash Reddy lodged a complaint with Tirupati superintendent of police Harshavardhan Raju, alleging that claims made by Karunakar Reddy that 100 cows have died in the SV Goshala due to the negligence of its administration were false.
According to the FIR, police booked Karunakar Reddy under different Sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
“These false statements have hurt the sentiments of devotees,” Bhanuprakash Reddy said in his complaint.
Dramatic stand-off
On Thursday (April 17), Karunakar Reddy had attempted to visit the Sri Venkateswara Gosamrakshanasala to assess the conditions himself. However, he was placed under house arrest by the police, citing security concerns, sparking high-voltage drama in the temple town.
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The house arrest had come after Reddy had accepted the challenge thrown by the TDP state president Palla Srinivas to visit the TTD’s dairy farm to prove his charges.
YSRCP accused the TDP-led government of using police to suppress evidence of "mismanagement" at Tirumala's cowshed run by the temple trust.
According to Reddy, the government feared exposure of administrative lapses and shared pictures of cow carcasses on social media that further fuelled outrage.
TDP dismisses allegations
The ruling TDP accused YSRCP of "playing politics" over cow protection and hurting the sentiments of Hindu devotees.
Dismissing the allegations, the TDP MLA B Sudheer Reddy accused the opposition of politicising cow protection and hurting the sentiments of Hindu devotees. Other TDP leaders, including MLAs and TTD board members, denied the claims of negligence and demanded proof from the Opposition.
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TTD too rubbishes claims
TTD chairman B R Naidu rubbished the claims as false and damaging. He maintained that the cows receive proper nutrition and medical care, attributing any deaths to natural causes.
A senior Goshala caretaker explained that much like in rescued wildlife centres, old or ailing cows often die of natural causes despite getting the best care.
Also Read: TTD bans political and hate speeches in Tirumala temple to protect sanctity