A significant controversy has arisen regarding the famous Tirupati laddu, a sacred offering from the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh, following allegations that animal fat is being used in its preparation. The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has accused the former YSR Congress Party (YSRCP)-led government of adulterating the prasadam, a claim that has caused an uproar within the Hindu community.
The controversy erupted when TDP leader Nara Lokesh, the son of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, accused the former YSRCP government, led by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, of wrongdoing. Lokesh claimed that during the YSRCP’s administration (2019–2024), the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) used adulterated ingredients, including animal fat, in the preparation of the sacred Tirupati laddu.
He further highlighted that the TDP government has taken corrective measures by appointing a new Executive Officer (EO) to oversee TTD and ensure that quality standards are maintained. “CM Chandrababu Naidu has instructed officials to uphold the quality of the prasadam. The NDA government will implement new reforms at TTD to restore its former glory,” he stated.
TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy presented findings from NDDB CALF Ltd, a laboratory in Gujarat, which reportedly confirmed the presence of beef tallow, lard (pig fat), and fish oil in ghee samples supplied by TTD during the YSRCP administration. The samples, collected in July 2024, were said to contain these animal-derived fats instead of pure cow ghee, igniting outrage among devotees.
Reddy stated, “The lab reports confirm that beef tallow, animal fat, lard, and fish oil were included in the ghee supplied to Tirumala. This is an insult to the Hindu faith.”
Lab test report confirms beef fat, fish oil used in making laddus at Tirupati Balaji Temple.
Those responsible for this act of defiling Hindu religious sentiments must be incarcerated.
Unless Hindus unite, they will be subjected to such humiliation, in the name of ‘secularism’. pic.twitter.com/wpVS28ewy6
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 19, 2024
The allegations have prompted significant responses from various political factions. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu condemned the alleged adulteration as a serious affront to the religious feelings of millions of Hindus. “Even the Tirumala laddu was prepared with inferior ingredients… they used animal fat instead of ghee,” he remarked during the NDA legislature party meeting.
Naidu’s son, Nara Lokesh, also voiced his shock and disapproval on social media, tweeting, “The Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala is our most revered temple. I am appalled to discover that the Y.S. Jagan administration used animal fat instead of ghee in the Tirupati prasadam.”
On the other hand, Bhanuprakash Reddy, a former member of the TTD Board and BJP leader, vehemently criticized the use of animal fat in the sacred prasadam, stating that they would file a formal complaint against Jagan Mohan Reddy and other officials involved. “During Jagan Mohan Reddy’s administration, TTD used pure cow ghee to make the laddu. Unfortunately, it was adulterated with vegetable oil and animal fat. This is a regrettable incident in the history of Tirumala. We are deeply saddened and strongly condemn this issue,” Bhanuprakash told ANI.
In response to the lab reports and increasing political pressure, the YSRCP has firmly rejected the allegations. Senior party leader and former TTD chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy described the claims as “malicious” and accused the TDP of fabricating the controversy for political advantage. “Chandrababu Naidu, the TDP leader, will go to any lengths for political gain. These accusations are merely an attempt to damage the reputation of the previous government,” Reddy stated.
As the TDP continues to demand accountability, the YSRCP stands resolute, rejecting the allegations as unfounded.
In light of the intensifying controversy, K. Laxman, President of the BJP OBC Morcha, has urged for legal measures, emphasizing that the sentiments of the Hindu community have been profoundly offended. “The entire Hindu community globally condemns the actions of the previous government. We call on the current Chandrababu-led NDA government to take decisive legal action against the officials and individuals involved,” Laxman stated.
As the scandal develops, both devotees and political leaders are eager for more information regarding the authenticity of the lab reports and the subsequent actions against those implicated. In the meantime, the TDP government has assured devotees that pure cow ghee is now being used once again in the preparation of the Tirupati laddu, a step intended to rebuild trust in the sacred prasadam.
#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) organised a Maha Shanti Homam in the wake of Laddu Prasadam row.
Executive officer of Tirumala Tirupathi Devastanam (TTD) Shamala Rao and other officials of the Board participated in the Homamam along with the… pic.twitter.com/Gkh7JFeljT
— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2024
Today, a ‘Shanti Homam’ ritual took place at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple complex in Tirumala, organized in response to the controversy surrounding the temple’s laddu prasadam. TTD Executive Officer Shamala Rao, along with other officials and priests, took part in the Maha Shanti Homam.
The ritual, which involved setting up three ‘Homagundams’ at the Yaagasaalai within the temple grounds, aimed to counteract the ‘sinful effects’ of using contaminated ingredients. The decision to conduct the ‘Shanti Homam’ was made following consultations with the agama advisor and Pedda Jeyanggar, based on the recommendation of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
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