'A Cow Is A Cow' : Supreme Court Rejects Plea To Use Only Indigenous Cow Milk For Worship At Tirumala Temple

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a writ petition seeking a direction to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) that the milk used for the worship of Lord Venkatesh at the Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala should be sourced only from indigenous cows.

After a bench of Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh expressed disinclination to hear the matter, the counsel appearing for the petitioner withdrew the petition.

Before concluding, Justice Sundresh said to the petitioner's counsel, “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.”

During the hearing, the counsel for the petitioner told the court that various donors of the temple trust as well as other organizations from across India have joined hands to file the present petitioner.

However, Justice Sundresh remarked, “A cow is a cow.” When the counsel responded that there is a differentiation as per the Agamashastras, Justice Sundresh observed, “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.”

The counsel for the petitioner submitted that worship has to be conducted as per the Agamashastras and stated that the plea only sought implementation of an existing resolution and order of the TTD. She requested that notice be issued to the TTD to obtain its response.

Justice Sundresh said, “Any ritual you do is an indication for your love of God, nothing beyond.” When the counsel said that it was an essential practice, Justice Sundresh asked whether there was any legal mandate for it. The counsel said they were relying on two Constitution Bench judgments.

Justice Sundresh remarked, “Now you will say, the Tirupati laddu has to be indigenous.”

When he started dictating the order, “We have heard the counsel. We are not inclined to entertain,” the counsel appearing for the petitioner sought permission to withdraw instead.

The Court allowed the petitioner to withdraw the petition with liberty to approach the High Court.

Case no. – W.P.(C) No. 664/2025 

Case Title – Yuga Thulasi Foundation v. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)