A controversy has erupted over the claim that animal fat was adulterated in the laddus offered as prasad at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday alleged that the previous government led by him violated the sanctity of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) by purchasing cheap adulterated ghee for the prasad. Naidu also indicated that he would take action in the matter. He questioned whether he should spare such people when unpardonable crimes have been committed. Naidu said, “People are saying that their sentiments are hurt due to the adulteration of ghee used in laddus (sacred prasad offered to Lord Balaji in Tirupati) during the previous YSR Congress government led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.”
TTD manages the popular Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati. Lakhs of devotees visit this temple throughout the year. Naidu said, ‘We have changed the ghee supplier. We have started buying Nandini brand ghee from Karnataka.’ On Friday, TTD, citing laboratory reports, said that the presence of animal fat and lard (pig fat) has been detected in the ghee. TTD Executive Officer Shyamal Rao said that laboratory tests have revealed the presence of animal fat and lard in selected samples. Now the board is in the process of blacklisting the contractor who supplied adulterated ghee.
What does the temple administration say?
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam said that the ghee suppliers to the temple body took advantage of the lack of internal adulteration testing facility and did not even use external facilities. Meanwhile, R Dairy, a company supplying ghee to the Tirupati Balaji temple in Chennai, said that samples of their product were approved by the authorities certifying its quality. Spokespersons of the Dindigul-based company said that it was only during the months of June and July that they supplied ghee to the Tirumala Lord Venkateswaraswamy temple. Even when ghee was supplied to the Tirupati temple, it was sent with duly accredited laboratory reports.
Jagan accuses Naidu of doing politics
Politics has heated up over the laddu controversy. Yuvajana Sramika Raithu Congress Party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy targeted Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu over allegations of adulteration of ghee in Tirumala. He said that he is trying to divert the attention of the public from his 100-day rule. Jagan said that Naidu is such a person who can even use God for political gain. He said, ‘This is the politics of diversion. On one hand, people are expressing their anger over Chandrababu Naidu’s 100-day rule. They are asking what happened to his Super Six (election promises). This fabricated story is being created to divert people’s attention.’ He said that the allegations of adulteration in ghee are very serious. He asked whether it is right to play with the sentiments of crores of devotees across the world.
Rahul Gandhi’s statement on the matter
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said that the administration across the country should ensure the protection of the sanctity of religious places. He posted on Twitter, ‘Reports of desecration of Prasad at Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati are disturbing. Lord Balaji is a revered deity for millions of devotees in India and around the world. This issue will hurt every devotee and needs to be deeply reflected upon.’ He said that the administration across India must protect the sanctity of our religious places.
What did JP Nadda say on the entire controversy
Union Health Minister JP Nadda said that he has spoken to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and sought a report on the Tirupati laddu issue. Nadda said that the matter will be investigated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and appropriate action will be taken. He said, ‘I came to know about this issue through social media. I spoke to Chandrababu Naidu today and I asked him to share the available report so that I can investigate it. I will also talk to the state regulators and take their opinion. The report will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken under the legal framework and rules of FSSAI. FSSAI will investigate it, give a report and then we will take action.’
Vishwa Hindu Parishad expressed strong objection
Vishwa Hindu Parishad said that the alleged use of animal fat in Tirupati temple laddu is intolerable. It demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government hand over the control and management of the temple to the Hindu community. VHP International General Secretary Bajrang Bagda also demanded that all temples and other Hindu shrines across the country be freed from government control. He demanded legal action against those involved in desecrating the Tirupati temple prasad. He said, ‘The Tirupati incident further strengthens Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s belief that government control over temples leads to the entry of politics. Such impurities are deliberately made in the prasad due to the appointment of non-Hindu officials there.’
(With agency input)
