Jagan Mohan Reddy refused temple prasad? TDP makes false claim with clipped video

by Priyanka Jha

Amid the ongoing Tirupati Temple prasad controversy, the Telugu Desam Party’s official X handle shared a video on September 22, 2024, showing former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. In the video, Reddy is seen receiving prasad (charanamrit) in his hand but is not seen drinking it. Instead, he seems to toss it above his head. The video, which repeats a 6-second clip three times, has led to accusations on social media calling Reddy a “feku” (fraud).

Alluding to the allegations of the use of adulterated ghee in the making of the laddoos during his tenure, users ridiculed him by saying that if the prasad had been in the form of a laddoo, he would have recognized it by its smell, but he threw the charanamrit.  (Archived link)

Other users have also shared this video, echoing similar claims about Reddy’s actions during the temple visit.

Fact Check

A keyword search led us to several videos from regional news channel Sakshi TV covering the incident. Jagan Mohan Reddy is seen in these reports in the same attire as in the viral video. These videos confirm that Reddy and his wife, YS Bharathi Reddy, attended Makar Sankranti celebrations on January 14, 2024.

One of these videos clearly shows Jagan Mohan Reddy drinking charanamrit, a part of the footage that has been omitted in the viral clip. The complete sequence, including Reddy drinking the charanamrit, can be seen at the 2:55 minute mark in the original video.

Additionally, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has called out the viral video as fake through a tweet.

To sum it up, an edited video of Jagan Mohan Reddy is being circulated with false claims that he discarded temple prasad. 

Donate to Alt News!
Independent journalism that speaks truth to power and is free of corporate and political control is possible only when people start contributing towards the same. Please consider donating towards this endeavour to fight fake news and misinformation.

Donate Now

About the Author

She specializes in information verification, examining mis/disinformation, social media monitoring and platform accountability. Her aim is to make the internet a safer place and enable people to become informed social media users. She has been a part of Alt News since 2018.