The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a petition demanding the use of only indigenous cow milk for rituals at the renowned Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The writ petition, filed by Yuga Thulasi Foundation, sought directions to enforce a resolution that allegedly mandates the exclusive use of native cow milk for temple worship.
A bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh expressed clear disinterest in entertaining the matter. Observing that there are more pressing issues before the Court, the bench persuaded the petitioner to withdraw the plea.
“There are much more important issues than this. The true love for God lies in serving fellow living beings, and not in these things. With due respect to you we are telling you,”— Justice M.M. Sundresh
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The petitioner’s counsel informed the Court that several donors of the temple trust and other organizations from different parts of India had supported the plea. She insisted that rituals at the temple should be performed strictly according to Agamashastras and emphasized that the petition merely sought the implementation of an existing TTD order.
“A cow is a cow,”— Justice M.M. Sundresh
When the counsel argued that the Agamashastras distinguish between different types of cows for ritual purposes, Justice Sundresh responded:
“The classification is only for human beings based on language, religion, caste, community, state, etc. It’s all for us! God is the same for everybody, human beings and others also.”— Justice M.M. Sundresh
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The bench questioned whether there was any legal mandate requiring only indigenous cow milk for temple rituals and asked if any essential religious practice was being violated.
“Any ritual you do is an indication for your love of God, nothing beyond,”— Justice M.M. Sundresh
Upon further insistence from the petitioner’s side, Justice Sundresh remarked in a lighter tone:
“Now you will say, the Tirupati laddu has to be indigenous.”
Before concluding, the bench noted in its order:
“We have heard the counsel. We are not inclined to entertain.”
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Following this, the counsel sought to withdraw the petition. The Court granted liberty to the petitioner to approach the High Court for further relief.
Case Title: Yuga Thulasi Foundation v. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)
Case No.: W.P.(C) No. 664/2025