Will take desecration of Tirupati Laddu to logical end: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi

Hubballi (Karnataka): Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi on Saturday said the Centre has taken the issue of desecration of famous Tirupati Laddu seriously and will take the matter to its logical end.

The Minister also said the allegations cropped up after the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) stopped using the Nandini Ghee of the Karnataka Milk Federation.

“We have heard a very serious allegation of adulteration in the auspicious Tirupati Laddu. The previous (Andhra Pradesh) government was using Nandini Ghee. Once they stopped using Nandini products, they started procuring Ghee from different sources. Since then, these incidents have taken place and the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has released the lab report as well,” Joshi, who also holds the public distribution portfolio, told reporters here in Hubballi.

He said the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister is an important politician of India and a good administrator and there must be facts when he has said so.

“Now that the lab report has come out, a detailed investigation has to take place. Whoever has committed wrong should be punished. We will take it seriously and we will take this case to the logical end,” Joshi said.

“This is a question of the culture and faith of the country. Such betrayal is not good."

The Minister insisted that the temple managements in Karnataka should also test the ‘Prasad’ served to the devotees in the temples from time to time.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka K S Eshwarappa alleged the role of foreign Christian missionaries during the tenure of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy as Chief Minister.

“Why this happen only during Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure? There is foreign Christian Padre’s role. Jagan Mohan Reddy is a converted Christian,” Eshwarappa said.

Referring to these allegations for a very long time, the expelled BJP leader said the desecration of Tirupati Laddu was a conspiracy against the Hindus.

Prabhu for setting up food testing labs at 'prasadam' distribution spots amid Tirupati laddu row

Former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu on Saturday called for setting up food testing labs by FSSAI at all public places where 'prasadam' is distributed to ensure quality, amid the Tirupati laddu row.

The cost of these testing labs can easily be borne by organisations who run such mass feeding programmes, he said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's claim that animal fat was used in Tirupati laddus during the previous government triggered a massive political row, with the YSRCP accusing Naidu of indulging in "heinous allegations" for political gains and the TDP circulating a lab report to back its claim.

"To address issues arising out of #TirupatiPrasadam we must ensure at all public places where #Prasadam #food is distributed @fssaiindia set up food testing labs to ensure food distribution is in line with expectations of general public/ devotees,conforms to desired quality," Prabhu said in a post on social media platform X.

He added that random sampling of ingredients, served food ,testing reports can be displayed prominently on screen in real time.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a government's food regulatory body.

Inputs from PTI