Kurnool: A decade-long procurement fraud involving synthetic “silk” shawls supplied to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has reignited political tensions in Andhra Pradesh, with the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) accusing the ruling TDP-led NDA government of weaponising the issue for political mileage. The scam, which allegedly ran from 2015 to 2025, has shaken devotees’ faith and exposed major lapses in monitoring systems within one of the country’s richest temple administrations.
Synthetic shawls sold as ‘pure silk’
According to the TTD vigilance wing, the shawls and dupattas supplied for temple rituals and devotees—labelled as pure mulberry silk—were in fact made of polyester. Despite being ordinary synthetic material costing about ₹350, these items were billed to the temple at more than ₹1,300 each.
TTD chairperson BR Naidu revealed that the total value of the compromised supplies exceeded ₹50 crore. “A major scam involving silk dupattas has come to light. The materials were neither silk nor certifiable. TTD has requested an ACB probe into the matter,” he said.
Laboratory tests by the Central Silk Board confirmed that the shawls and dupattas lacked genuine silk content, prompting the TTD to escalate the matter for criminal investigation.
Fraud spanned a decade, say officials
Preliminary findings show that the fraudulent procurement operated undetected for nearly ten years. During this period, synthetic material continued to be passed off as premium-quality silk, causing losses worth over ₹54 crore.
Officials believe the scam thrived due to weak verification processes, absence of periodic audits, and over-reliance on suppliers who manipulated documentation and certification.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is expected to take over the investigation shortly, and several procurement officials may face questioning once the inquiry begins formally.
YSRCP blames TDP, calls scam a ‘longstanding issue’
The revelations have led to fierce political exchanges. The YSRCP has accused the TDP of negligence, claiming the scam originated during its earlier term and persisted due to the absence of strict oversight.
YSRCP spokesperson and former TTD chairman Bhoomna Karunakar Reddy said the coalition government was using Tirumala as a “political stage” instead of focusing on systemic reforms. “They repeatedly harm Hindu sentiments and yet try to blame YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and the YSRCP for issues that clearly date back to their governance lapses,” he said.
He further alleged that the current administration had not released inquiry reports nor initiated decisive action despite having access to internal findings. “The government wants headlines, not accountability,” he stated.
Government counters criticism
In response, TDP leaders maintain that the present TTD board discovered the scam and acted by ordering scientific tests and pushing for an ACB probe. They argue that the temple’s procurement chain underwent major changes during the YSRCP’s five-year rule, implying that the previous administration failed to detect or rectify irregularities.
TTD chairperson BR Naidu rejected allegations of politicisation, stating that the board’s focus remains on transparency and restoring public trust. “Faith and governance must go hand in hand. We will ensure accountability,” he said.
String of controversies at TTD
The shawls episode is the latest among several controversies that have surfaced in the last few years. Earlier allegations included adulteration of ghee used in the famous laddu prasadam, irregularities in temple kitchen procurement, and the Parakamani (donation counting room) theft case.
Each controversy has triggered political blame games between the YSRCP and the TDP, with both sides accusing the other of mismanagement and erosion of temple sanctity.
Devotees demand transparency
The recurring scandals have raised concerns among devotees, who contribute significant donations to the temple. Many have demanded third-party audits, digital tracking of procurement, and stronger vigilance mechanisms to ensure such frauds do not recur.
With the ACB expected to begin its investigation soon, temple authorities hope the probe will help identify the masterminds, recover losses, and restore trust in the administration.