Laddoos offered as ‘prasadam’ at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh have become a hot topic. A lab in Gujarat found animal fat in the ghee used to make prasadam. The CM of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, and his Telugu Desam Party criticized his predecessor, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, and his YSR Congress Party. They claimed it to be the ‘desecration’ of a temple, which is very important to Hindus in the state and across India.
CM Naidu announced that the temple would be ‘sanitized’. He also accused Reddy of corruption in the tender process of purchasing large amounts of ‘adulterated ghee.’ This ghee was used for making about three lakh laddoos every day. Naidu even said that Reddy has insulted ‘one of the most sacred Gods’.
Lab Reports
On July 17, a report from the Centre of Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) lab revealed that animal fat was found in the ghee. CALF is a part of the National Dairy Development Board in Gujarat.
The ghee was used to make the famous Tirupati laddoos during the time the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) was in power. The report stated that the ghee has traces of fish oil, beef tallow, and lard (a white fat made from pig fat).
What Is Tirupati Laddoos Row?
The TTD board purchases about 5,00,000 kg of ghee each year, around 42,000 kg every month, through an e-tender every 6 months. They also require 22,500 kg of cashew, 15,000 kg of raisins, and 6,000 kg of cardamom.
Previously, Karnataka Milk Federation supplied the ghee but stopped four years ago due to pricing issues. It includes an increase of Rs. 3/litre ordered by the Congress-led Karnataka government. Their contract was renewed only after N. Chandrababu’s TDP returned to power.
Then the temple sourced ghee from a supplier in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, which reportedly contained animal fat.
YSRCP Response
రాజకీయం లబ్ధికోసం ఎంతటి నీచానికైనా చంద్రబాబు వెనుకాడడని మరోమారు నిరూపితం అయ్యింది. భక్తుల విశ్వాసాన్ని బలపరిచేందుకు తిరుమల ప్రసాదం విషయంలో నేను, నా కుటుంబం ఆ దేవ దేవుని సాక్షిగా ప్రమాణానికి సిద్ధంగా ఉన్నాం. చంద్రబాబుకూడా తన కుటుంబంతో ప్రమాణానికి సిద్ధమా?2/2
— Y V Subba Reddy (@yvsubbareddymp) September 18, 2024
The MP of Rajya Sabha, YV Subba Reddy, was also the chairperson of the TTD for four years. He said, “It was unimaginable to even say animal fat was used in consecrated food offered daily to the deity and in laddoos given to devotees.”
He even said Chandrababu Naidu was the one who had damaged the sanctity of the temple and affected crores of devotees by making such disgraceful comments.
Mr. Reddy posted in Telugu on X, “It has been proved once again that Chandrababu will not hesitate to do anything bad for the benefit of politics.” The YSRCP leader also said that he is ready “to take an oath as witnesses in this case. He even asked, “Is he also ready to take an oath?”
Another senior party leader, Karunakar Reddy, is the chairperson of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) for two terms. He said that the TDP government’s accusations were just a way to attack Jagan Mohan Reddy for political reasons.
Congress Take On Laddoo’s Controversy
YS Sharmila, the head of the Congress state unit, has called the CBI to look into the matter.
She said, “If there are no political motives behind your claims and you are not trying to use this issue for politics, then form a high-level committee or ask for a CBI inquiry. The Congress wants to uncover the truth.”
Sharmila is the sister of Jagan Reddy, but they don’t have a friendly relationship. While taking the oath of office, she criticized him and said no development had occurred in this state in the past 10 years.
Bhartiya Janata Party’s Reaction
The BJP is associated with the TDP, and Jana Sena at the national level is very upset. Union Minister and National General Secretary, Bandi Sanjay, called the situation an “unforgivable sin” against a “very holy prasadam.”
He also suggested the ghee issue had a communal angle, claiming it happened because “some people from other religions were included on the board.”
A BJP Member of Parliament who was on the board of TTD demanded that a police complaint be filed against former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy.
He further said that “Reddy’s government deliberately damaged the feelings of Hindu pilgrims.”
TTD is the trust that manages the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple and other temples in the state.
The lord venkateswara swamy temple at Tirumala is our most sacred temple. I am shocked to learn that the @ysjagan administration used animal fat instead of ghee in the tirupati Prasadam. Shame on @ysjagan and the @ysrcparty government that couldn’t respect the religious… pic.twitter.com/UDFC2WsoLP
— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) September 18, 2024
Nara Lokesh, Chandrababu Naidu’s son, said, “The Lord Venkateshwara Swamy Temple at Tirumala is our most sacred temple. I am shocked to learn that the @ysjagan administration used animal fat instead of ghee in the Tirupati Prasadam. Shame on @ysjagan and @ysrcparty government that couldn’t respect the religious sentiments of crores of devotees.”
We are all deeply disturbed with the findings of animal fat (fish oil,pork fat and beef fat )mixed in Tirupathi Balaji Prasad. Many questions to be answered by the TTD board constituted by YCP Govt then. Our Govt is committed to take stringent action possible.
But,this throws… https://t.co/SA4DCPZDHy— Pawan Kalyan (@PawanKalyan) September 20, 2024
Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party is also demanding actions against the “desecration of Sanatan dharma in any form.”
The Tirupati Temple And Prasadam
The Tirupati temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, a form of Lord Vishnu believed to help humanity in the Kali Yuga. Tirupati laddoos hold a ‘Geographical Indication’ tag. It identifies the product’s origin and protects it under intellectual property rights. It ensures that only authorized users can use the name.
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