Dy CM Pawan does penance at Kanaka Durga Temple, cautions against mocking Tirupati Laddu issue

Vijayawada: Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan participated in a cleansing programme at the Kanaka Durga temple here on Tuesday. The ritual was a part of his 11-day penance to make amends with the deity following allegations of adulterated ghee usage in making the famous Tirupati Temple laddus.

Accompanied by party leaders, Kalyan washed the temple steps and scrubbed them clean with a brush.

“I strongly follow Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism). We are Ram devotees, we used to have Rama Japam (chants) in our home,” Kalyan told reporters at the temple,

While stating that India has equally accommodated all religions including Muslims, Christians and Zoroastrians, the Jana Sena leader said that secularism has to be a two-way path to accommodate all faiths.

War of words with Prakash Raj

Against the backdrop of the Tirupati Laddu controversy, a war of words has started between the Telugu industry actors and Pawan Kalyan.

Taking exception to actor Prakash Raj’s comments to his tweet over the Laddu controversy, Kalyan wondered what role the former had in this issue.

“Prakash Raj commented against me. I was talking about the sacrilege that occurred to Hindus. What role does Prakash Raj have in this? Did I abuse another religion, did I abuse Islam, did I abuse Christianity, should I not talk when a mistake happens, when a sacrilege had happened?” he asked.

Prakash Raj highlighted that the alleged Tirupati Laddu sacrilege happened when Kalyan was the deputy chief minister and sought to know why the latter was allegedly blowing up the issue when the country is already beset with several communal tensions.

Prakash Raj later responded to Kalyan's reaction to his comments earlier on the Tirupati laddu controversy. "Dear @PawanKalyan garu..i saw your press meet.. what i have said and what you have misinterpreted is surprising.. im shooting abroad. Will come back to reply your questions.. meanwhile i would appreciate if you can go through my tweet earlier and understand #justasking," the actor said on 'X'.

‘No jokes about the laddu controversy’

Admonishing Prakash Raj, Kalyan said he has ‘extreme respect’ for the former but advised him to learn his ‘lessons’ and gave a wider call to everyone who thinks in the alleged garb of secularism.

Sending a warning to the Telugu industry, Pawan Kalyan asked everyone not to make jokes about the Laddu issue.

His statement came after actor Karthi said the Laddu issue is a sensitive subject but the public is making jokes over it. “I ask the film industry to support me or stay away from this. But do not make jokes over this. It is a painful thing for us. Don’t you dare speak on this,” said Pawan Kalyan speaking to the media.

Attack on YSRCP

Speaking about former TTD chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, Pawan Kalyan said, “I do not know if he follows another religion. Whether there are non-Hindus in his family or not is not my concern. However, once he accepted the responsibility of safeguarding the Tirumala temple, it became his duty to protect Hindu Dharma. When wrongs occur, they must be questioned.”

“When the issue of adulteration in the sacred Tirumala laddus surfaced, the former chief minister YS Jagan should have investigated and taken appropriate action to reveal the truth. Instead, he chose to criticise. Why protect those responsible for the wrongdoing?” questioned Pawan Kalyan.

He stated that he would question those Hindus who took on the responsibility of protecting Hindu Dharma but have failed in that duty.

“How can you remain silent when the destruction of idols takes place under your watch? Would you stay quiet if something similar happened in a mosque, even for a minor issue? In those instances, you prioritise votes, but when it comes to Hindus, you remain indifferent. How can this be acceptable? Do Hindus not have sentiments? Should Hindus remain silent? Should we stand by and watch when attacks are made on our faith?” he questioned.

Bandi Sanjay supports Pawan Kalyan

Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar came out strongly in support of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who said secularism cannot be a one-way road but a two-way path which has to accommodate all faiths.

In a post on 'X', Sanjay Kumar, Union Minister of State for Home, said he completely stands by Kalyan. "Powerful words from Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Shri @PawanKalyan garu and completely stand by him," he said.

Kumar quoted Kalyan's comments, "If anyone tries to mess with Sanatana Dharma, we all Hindus will rightfully will voice out. Secularism is a two-way street. If you expect us to take the beating while others are pampered, that’s not going to happen.We won’t be silent punching bags".