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,"

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).

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.