Animal fat was used to prepare Tirumala Venkateswara Swamy Laddus during YSRCP rule: Naidu

Amaravati: A major row has erupted after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu claimed that animal fat was used instead of ghee for preparing Tirumala Venkateswara Swamy Laddus during the previous YSRCP government.

Reacting to Naidu’s statement, former TTD Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy denied his allegations. "Chandrababu is not new to accusing political opponents in the name of God. Naidu had made similar allegations even when YSR was the CM," stated the former TTD Chairman.

Tirupati Laddu prasadam is distributed at the revered Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, which is run by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

Speaking at the NDA legislature party meeting Naidu said, "Even Tirumala laddus were made with substandard ingredients. Despite many complaints, there has been no change. Very poor quality prasadam was served to the devotees. We have learned that the previous government contaminated Tirumala's laddu prasadam by using inferior materials and animal fat instead of ghee. Now that we are aware, we are using pure ghee, and everything has been sanitized at the temple, leading to improved quality,"

In a post on X, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan said, "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 light on many issues surrounding desecration of temples ,its land issues and other dharmic practices,".

He suggestes to constitute a ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’ at a National level to look into all the issues related to temples in entire Bharath.

"A debate has to happen at a National level by all the policy makers, religious heads, judiciary, citizens, media and all others in their respective domains. I think we all should come together to put an end to desecration of ‘Sanathana Dharma’ in anyform," stated the Deputy CM.

What does report say?

TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy claimed that the adulteration has been confirmed by a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory, on the ghee samples provided by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the famous Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple.

A report from the Centre of Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) lab at Gujarat's National Dairy Development Board indicated the ghee contained traces of fish oil, beef tallow, and lard (a semi-solid white fat product obtained by rendering the fatty tissue of a pig).

The sample receipt date was July 9, 2024 and the lab report was dated July 16.

Taking to X, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh targeted the Jagan Mohan Reddy administration over the issue. “The Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala is our most sacred temple. I am shocked to learn that the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy administration used animal fat instead of ghee in the Tirupati Prasadam,” he said in a post on X.

Targeting the erstwhile YSRCP government, Lokesh alleged that it could not respect the religious sentiments of crores of devotees.

Former TTD chairman denies

"The allegations against the Kaliyuga deity Sri Venkateswara Swamy Divyakshetra Tirumala Prasadas are most vicious. If God is used for political gain, for political selfishness. God will not forgive the one who makes such accusations," stated Bhumana.

According to the former TTD Chairman, the authorities have no involvement in the preparation of Annaprasadas in Tirumala. These ingredients are prepared through Sri Vaishnavas. The use of materials in Prasad is in their hands. Chandrababu's accusations against the prasadam made by the hands of such people are the pinnacle of his mud politics.

Also YSRCP Rajya Sabha member and former TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy in a post on X termed Naidu's allegation as "malicious" and said that the TDP supremo would "stoop to any level for political gain".

Subba Reddy, who served as the chairman of TTD for two terms, alleged that Naidu had severely damaged the sanctity of the holy Tirumala and the faith of crores of Hindus with his comments. “His comments about the Tirumala prasadam are extremely malicious. No person would speak such words or make such accusations,” said Subba Reddy in a post on X.

The former TTD chairman said he was ready to take an oath before the deity to strengthen the faith of devotees. He challenged Naidu to do the same.

NewsMeter tried speaking to the officials of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). An official statement from the TTD is awaited.

Meanwhile, assailing the ruling TDP and opposition YSRCP for allegedly indulging in ‘heinous’ politics over Tirupati laddus, AP Congress Committee (APCC) president Y S Sharmila on Thursday called for a CBI probe to ascertain whether animal fat was really used to make the sweet.

Telangana leaders reacts on this incident

Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar said the alleged use of animal fat in making the laddu is a deep betrayal of faith and trust of Hindus who pray to Lord Venkateswara.

In a post on 'X', he demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government conduct an immediate probe into the matter to uncover the truth and take strong action against those responsible.

BJP MLA in Telangana, Raja Singh, said the alleged use of "beef fat and fish oil" in making the sacred laddu prasadam during the previous YSR Congress rule is a direct assault on our rich cultural and religious heritage which cannot and should not be tolerated.

He urged Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take immediate action against those responsible for the "grave offence".

Nandini Brand alleged that the temple body was procuring low quality ghee

In August 2023, Nandini brand milk producer Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) chairman Bheema Naik alleged that the temple body was procuring low quality ghee. However, the then TTD executive officer A V Dharma Reddy said that the temple body procures cow ghee only from those suppliers who pass the twin tests of uncompromising quality and least cost (L1 bidder) through a rigourous e-tender process, dismissing Naik's allegations.

Moreover, he said that KMF, which never qualified as an L1 bidder had supplied ghee only once in the past 20 years, including failing to deliver the consignment on time.