In a startling revelation that has rocked the religious and political landscape of Andhra Pradesh, laboratory tests have allegedly confirmed the presence of beef tallow, fish oil, and palm oil in the ghee used for preparing laddus at the revered Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati. This claim, surfaced by the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP), has ignited a fierce political debate, with accusations flying between the TDP and the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
Senior YSRCP leader sacked
The allegations have not only sparked a political uproar but have also deeply offended religious sentiments. Y.V. Subba Reddy, a senior YSRCP leader, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s uncle, and former TTD chairman, vehemently denied the claims, branding them as “heinous” and an attack on the sanctity of the temple. Reddy challenged Naidu to prove his allegations in the presence of the deity, threatening legal action if Naidu failed to substantiate his claims.
However, following the controversy, a notice has been served to former Y.V. Subba Reddy to question him about the allegations of fund diversion from the Temple Trust, using adulterated ingredients for Prasad & Laddu preparation. The allegations include misuse of 500 crore rupees and the use of animal fat for the preparations of the Tirpuati laddos.
Conversely, Nandini Ghee, the traditional milk and dairy product supplier to the temple, states that their supply was halted by the temple committee for the past four years. It was only as recent as July of this year that their services were reinstated.
The big exposé
The controversy began when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government, led by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, of substituting ghee with animal fat in the prasadam offered at the temple. This claim was supported by TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy, who presented a lab report purportedly from a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory during a press conference. The lab report, according to Reddy, certified the presence of “beef tallow, animal fat – lard, and fish oil” in the ghee samples provided by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
Adding fuel to the fire, IT minister Nara Lokesh expressed his shock on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Bhagwan 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.”
Timeline of the controversy
February 2023: TTD initiates a massive procurement of 10 lakh kg of Agmark-grade cow ghee, aiming to support local economies and ensure supply consistency.
June 2023: Quality control hits a snag as TTD rejects 42 truckloads of ghee for not meeting quality benchmarks, revealing issues like adulteration with vegetable oils. This leads to a public spat with KMF over procurement practices.
August 2023: KMF Chairman Bheema Naik declares the cessation of ghee supply to TTD due to uncompetitive tender pricing, while TTD counters that KMF’s supply to the temple has been negligible for two decades.
July 23, 2024: TTD takes action by forming a committee dedicated to ensuring ghee quality, blacklisting a supplier, and enhancing procurement standards.
September 2023: The controversy escalates as Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu accuses the previous YSRCP government of using animal fat in the temple’s prasadam. TDP presents what they claim to be lab reports from the National Dairy Development Board, alleging the presence of beef tallow, lard, and fish oil in the sacred laddus.
Calls for action
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has also weighed in, calling for stringent action against those responsible, labeling the issue as a “serious affront” to Hindu sentiments. Meanwhile, Y.S. Sharmila, president of the AP Congress Committee, has demanded a CBI investigation to unearth the truth behind these allegations, criticising both TDP and YSRCP for playing “heinous politics” with religious sentiments.
This development not only questions the integrity of one of India’s most significant religious offerings but also highlights the deep political divide in Andhra Pradesh. As the debate rages on, the sanctity of the Tirupati Laddu, a symbol of devotion for millions, hangs in the balance, awaiting a resolution that could either cleanse or further taint its sacred legacy.
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