Supreme Court Dismisses Plea for Using Only Desi Cow Milk at Tirupati Temple

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a petition requesting that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the well-known Tirupati Balaji Temple, use only milk from indigenous cows for temple rituals and offerings.

A bench comprising Justice MM Sundaresh and Justice N Kotiswar Singh did not find the plea fit for Supreme Court consideration. However, the petitioner was allowed to withdraw the case and was given the freedom to take it to a High Court.

Court Emphasises Bigger Issues

During the hearing, Justice Sundaresh said that love for God should be shown through kindness to others, not by focusing on such specific matters. “A cow is a cow,” he said, adding that society has more pressing concerns. The judge also noted that his remarks were made with full respect to religious beliefs.

The petitioner’s lawyer argued that temple scriptures (Agamshastras) support the use of desi cow milk for rituals and that TTD had earlier made a proposal to follow this. The lawyer said the petition only asked that TTD follow through on that decision.

God Is Not Limited by Man-Made Rules, Says Bench

The bench questioned the idea that God would prefer milk from a particular type of cow. Justice Sundaresh said such divisions are made by people—based on language, caste, or community—and not by God. “God is for everyone,” he added, saying that suggesting God favors local cow milk isn’t reasonable.

Petition Withdrawn with Liberty to Move HC

When the petitioner’s lawyer asked the court to at least get a response from TTD, Justice Sundaresh responded lightly, “Should we now ask that Tirupati laddus also be made only from desi ingredients?”

The court finally noted it was not inclined to take up the petition but allowed it to be withdrawn so that the matter could be raised before the appropriate High Court.