Andhra Pradesh govt appoints SIT to probe Tirumala ghee adulteration allegations

Amaravati: Hitting out at the previous YSRCP government, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday alleged that several procedures to procure ghee at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) were altered during the earlier regime, prompting him to form a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the irregularities.

He also alleged that appointments to the TTD board became like "gambling" during the previous government and there were instances of appointing people who had no faith and giving preferences to non-Hindus on the board.

Addressing a press conference at his Undavalli residence, the CM said crores of Hindus' sentiments were hurt after the revelations with regard to laddus that animal fats were allegedly used to make them and added that they are enraged.

"An IG level or above officer manned SIT will be formed. It will probe all the reasons, misuse of power and give a report to the government. The government will take stringent action to avoid recurrences (laddu adulteration), there is no compromise," said Naidu.

The CM said nobody has the right to play with people's sentiments. Further, Naidu noted that a Santhi Homam Panchagavya Prokshana (ritualistic sanitisation) will be held on Monday at Tirumala to undo the alleged desecrations. "From 6 am to 10 am on Monday, Santhi Homam Panchagavya Prokshana will be done at the Bangaru Bavi (golden well) Yagashala (ritual place) in Srivari (Sri Venkateswara) temple," he said.

Naidu said, as per the earlier conditions, the ghee supplier should have at least three years of experience. However, after Jagan Mohan Reddy came to power, it was reduced to one year. The CM also said that the required turnover of the supplier was also reduced to Rs 150 crore from the earlier Rs 250 crore, among other relaxations.

Naidu asked how one can supply pure ghee at Rs 319 per kg when even palm oil is costlier than that.

He said AR Dairy Foods Pvt Ltd started supplying ghee from June 12, 2024. Referring to the letter written by Jagan to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said the YSRCP chief was trying to counterattack by shooting off letters.

Lambasting several points mentioned by Reddy in his letter to Modi, Naidu said the YSRCP chief was irresponsibly justifying his government’s actions between 2019 and 2024, which led to the alleged sacrilegious deeds at the world-renowned temple. There is a special place for Venkateswara Swamy's Prasadam, because of its pure ingredients, and uncompromising quality of making for the past 300 years.

During an NDA legislative party meeting a few days ago, the TDP supremo claimed that the previous YSRCP government did not even spare Sri Venkateswara temple and used substandard ingredients and animal fat for making laddus. Two days later, on September 20, TTD Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao in a press conference said lab tests had revealed the presence of animal fat and lard in chosen samples and the board is in the process of blacklisting the contractor who supplied "adulterated" ghee.

Further, the CM promised to take the responsibility for protecting devotees’ sentiments on behalf of God and ensure that these kinds of things do not recur. Naidu observed that the government will ensure that no person with criminal antecedents will have a place in the management of any religious place, whether it is a temple, church or a masjid.

Similarly, the CM also promised to bring a special law to protect secularism in the southern state if needed and also form a committee of vydhika, dharmika and agama pandits (spiritual experts) to give a report on all the temples in the state to create standard operating procedures (SoPs), respecting their existing traditions. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan commenced his penance today to propitiate the deity over the alleged desecrations.

(Inputs by PTI)