YSRCP leaders hold protest over gaushala in Tirupati TDP calls it ''hypocrisy''

Tirupati, Apr 17 (PTI) YSR Congress party leaders staged a protest here on Thursday after being denied entry into the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Gaushala (cowshed), alleging cow deaths due to neglect.


Former TTD Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy lay on the road protesting, joined by Tirupati MP M Gurumoorthy and others after police prevented them from visiting the facility.

YSRCP accused the TDP-led government of using police to suppress evidence of "mismanagement" at Tirumala's cowshed run by the temple trust.

However, the TDP MLA B Sudheer Reddy accused YSRCP of "playing politics" over cow protection and hurting the sentiments of Hindu devotees.

“Those relishing beef abroad are politicising cow reverence here,” he stated, slamming YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for allegedly deflecting from their party’s false accusations over the Tirupati cowshed issue.

Sudheer Reddy dared Bhumana Karunakar Reddy to visit the gaushala and apologise. “If he’s scared, we’ll arrange SP-level security and why hide like a thief?” he wondered.

The government denied us entry because they fear the truth, said Karunakar Reddy, challenging authorities to allow inspection of the Gaushala and prove maintenance standards.

TDP leaders had previously dared Karunakar Reddy and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to inspect the Gaushala on Thursday, (April 17) and verify the actual condition firsthand.

However, YSRCP maintained that their leaders were unlawfully stopped, calling it a "cowardly act" and accused the trust of poor cow care.

Gurumoorthy criticised the police action, terming it "disgraceful" and an indirect admission by the ruling government of wrongdoing and animal welfare lapses in the cowshed.

Karunakar Reddy claimed that over 100 cows died in the last three months due to poor upkeep and demanded an independent inquiry into the temple trust's animal care.
The opposition leader alleged that over 170 cows died since June 2025 and demanded a probe, while highlighting YSRCP’s efforts of bringing 550 cows to enrich the Tirupati Gosala.

YSRCP leader RK Roja condemned the deaths, raising concerns about liquor, marijuana, and misbehavior in Tirumala.
She said such incidents degrade the temple's sanctity and reputation.

The party called for strict action against TTD officials, demanding arrests and accountability for the reported deaths and deteriorating conditions within sacred temple premises.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)