Tirumala: Ex-TTD chief priest Ramana Deekshitulu sends SOS to CM Naidu, controversy over laddus

Tirumala: Former chief priest of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Ramana Deekshitulu has appealed to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to conduct a detailed inquiry into the use of animal fats for preparing laddu prasadam at Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple.

Ramana Deekshitulu was reacting to a report from the Centre of Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF). In its report, CALF said beef tallow, fish oil, and palm oil were used to make the laddus.

The laddus were distributed as prasadam at Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple, Tirumala.

Addressing a press conference, Ramana Deekshitulu expressed concern over the adulteration in laddu prasadam.

“On several occasions, the issue of the quality of prasadam was raised before the TTD chairman and executive officer. None of them took it seriously. The remaining priests in the temple did not raise their voice due to personal reasons. The adulteration of prasadam continued has been continuing for the last five years,” he said.

“Lab reports have revealed that the ghee used to make the laddu prasadam during the previous YSRCP government contained traces of animal fat, including beef tallow and fish oil. It is highly objectionable that the prasadam is adulterated which is supposed to be prepared by the ghee prepared from the sacred cows,” Ramana Deekshitulu said.

The TTD former chief priest also welcomed Naidu’s decision to procure Nandini ghee from Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF).

“I faced humiliation during the previous YSRCP regime. All the cases filed against me should be revoked. The pottu (laddu preparation kitchen) should be cleansed. TTD should restart the preparation of laddus hygienically,” Ramana Deekshitulu said.

Chilukur Balaji Temple chief priest seeks constitution of Central Dharmika Parishad

Chilukur Balaji Temple chief priest CS Rangarajan said that the Tirumala Laddu controversy has been hurting the sentiments of crores of devotees like him and mostly people who believe the prasadam and Sanatana Dharma worship the deity.

"The best quality cow ghee is not less than Rs 1,000 per kg. How can a person quote Rs 320 per kg. Might be every packet of ghee may contain adulterated items in it. A detailed inquiry should be conducted and those responsible should be punished," he said.

Rangarajan also appreciated Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan's statement for the constitution of National level Dharmika Parirakshana Parishad.

"We want Central Dharmika Parishad to be run by the pontiffs and retired judges. If it is constituted and the temples run under it. That is the best solution for the temples to stay away from the government's control," Rangarajan said.

Food minister seeks probe into Andhra CM's allegations about use of animal fat in Tirupati laddu

Food Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday called for an investigation into allegations made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu regarding the use of animal fat in Tirupati laddus, a claim that has sparked concern among devotees.

"Whatever the Andhra Chief Minister has said is a matter of serious concern. A detailed enquiry is required and the culprit should be punished," Joshi told reporters on the sidelines of a global food regulators summit here.

During an NDA legislative party meeting on Wednesday, Naidu claimed that the previous Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government did not even spare Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati and used substandard ingredients and animal fat for making laddus.

TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy in a press conference on Thursday in Amaravati 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.

He displayed the purported lab report which apparently confirmed the presence of "beef tallow", "lard" and "fish oil" in the given ghee sample.

The sample receipt date was July 9, 2024 and the lab report was dated July 16. However, there was no official confirmation on the lab report from either the Andhra Pradesh government or the TTD.

YSRCP leaders have denied the allegations. Health Minister J P Nadda, also present at the event, said he would address the issue during a press conference later in the day.

Inputs from PTI