Tirumala temple visible here with an inset image showing a laddu.
Credit: iStock Photos
Hyderabad: Reports of adulteration of cow ghee used by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to make Tirupati Laddu prasadam with animal fat had kicked up a political storm. While former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had accused chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu of raking up the Tirupati Laddu issue, what Jagan calls a misinformation drive, to divert attention from his government's failure in 100 days,.
Meanwhile, his sister APCC chief, YS Sharmila, wrote to union home minister Amit Shah, demanding a CBI probe into the whole Tirupati Laddu episode.
Jagan said that a robust quality checking system is already in place in TTD since long and during 2019 and 2024; at least 18 times, consignments of ghee were rejected for substandard after the tests.
He also said many times such substandard ghee was rejected by TTD between 2014 and 2019 in the earlier TDP government period.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had called for a detailed report on the ghee adulteration from TTD. After TTD submits the report, sources in the Andhra Pradesh government expect Naidu to hold discussions with vedic experts and take stern action against adulteration.
Congress leader Sharmila expressed concern in a letter to Amit Shah about the state government's lack of inquiry, despite two months having passed since the submission of the NDDB's report.
“The sentiments of crores of devotees are at stake, and if proven true, this matter transcends state issues and constitutes a serious act of desecration. Given the gravity of this situation, we request that you order an immediate CBI investigation. If the allegations hold true, those responsible must face strict legal consequences, regardless of their political connections or social status. Tirumala is one of the most sacred places in our country, and it is imperative that it remain free from political interference. We demand you to immediately order an inquiry into this critical matter,” said Sharmila.
Union minister of state for home affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, also wrote to Naidu, seeking stern action against those responsible for the ghee adulteration in Tirumala temple.
Ramana Dikshithulu, the former chief priest of Tirumala Temple, said that the quality of Prasadams at Tirumala Temple has declined over the last five years. Dikshithulu said he had repeatedly brought this issue to the attention of the previous government, but received no response.
Deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan had said that the government is committed to taking the most stringent action possible. He also pushed the idea to have a ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’ at a national level to look into all the issues related to temples in the entire country.