The YSR Congress Party, which has been seizing every opportunity to portray the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government in a negative light, made a fresh allegation on Friday, claiming that a large number of cows are dying at the goshala of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
"Heartbreaking scenes emerge from the TTD Goshala, where nearly 100 innocent cows have lost their lives over the past three months due to sheer neglect and poor maintenance. A silent tragedy is unfolding in a sacred space meant to shelter and protect them…" the YSRCP posted on its official X handle.
Former TTD Trust Board Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy also issued a statement on Friday, alleging that cows at the TTD goshala were dying in large numbers due to the negligence of the coalition government.
He demanded an inquiry to uncover the facts and uphold the sanctity of Tirumala.
He claimed that over 100 cows had died in the past three months due to poor upkeep and caretaking.
"The number could be even higher, as the figure we have is only based on what has come to our notice," he said.
“We demand an inquiry into the mass death of cows and the lack of proper maintenance at the goshala, which is currently being overseen by a Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) who lacks veterinary qualifications. This is a clear case of neglect by the coalition government and the TTD governing body it appointed,” he alleged.
Karunakar Reddy further stated that during Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure, the goshala flourished, and over 550 indigenous breed cows were brought in from Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Punjab.
“During our time, 1,700 litres of milk were sent daily to Tirumala from the goshala for temple rituals. Now, under the coalition government, not even 500 litres are being supplied,” he claimed.
He also alleged that a pregnant cow was found dead on a railway track and that officials had cut off its ears, which bore the TTD tag.
“The government must order an inquiry into the deaths of these cows. This is a blot on Sanatana Dharma,” he said.
In response, the TTD promptly refuted the allegation that nearly 100 cows had died in its goshalas in the last three months.
“These claims are completely false and devoid of truth,” the TTD said in an official statement.
“The images of dead cows being circulated are not from TTD cowsheds. TTD strongly condemns this false propaganda being spread by a few individuals with malicious intent, which is deeply hurtful to the sentiments of devotees,” the statement added, urging devotees not to believe such misinformation.