A recent lab report has stirred widespread controversy after claims that animal fats, including beef tallow and fish oil, were found in the ghee used for Tirupati Balaji Temple’s prasadam preparation. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, blamed the former ruling YSR Congress for compromising the sanctity of the prasadam, while the YSRCP dismissed these allegations as politically motivated. The issue has sparked outrage among devotees, with many calling for a thorough investigation.
Amid YSRCP’s denial of the allegations, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) presented a lab report confirming beef tallow in the ghee. Samples sent to Gujarat’s CALF laboratory on July 9th, 2024, verified the presence of lard by July 16th. Following this, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and YSRCP remained silent.
The Tirupati laddu, offered as prasad to millions, symbolizes faith for many. Allegations of using non-vegetarian ingredients have raised concerns about food safety and provoked strong emotional reactions from devotees, who consider the laddu a divine offering.
Political Fallout
After the Tirupati Laddu controversy erupted, political leaders from the TDP and its ally BJP expressed strong public outrage. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan called for the creation of a nationwide “Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board” to oversee temple-related issues in India. He voiced concern on social media, stating, “We are deeply disturbed by reports of animal fat, including fish oil, pork fat, and beef fat, being found in Tirupati Balaji Prasad. The TTD board, formed by the YSRCP government, has many questions to answer.”
Reacting to the Tirupati Laddu controversy, BJP Morcha President in Telangana, Raja Singh, condemned the alleged use of animal fat and fish oil in the laddu’s preparation during the previous YSR Congress rule. He stated that this is a direct attack on India’s rich cultural and religious heritage, which, he emphasized, “cannot and should not be tolerated.”
Legacy of the Tirupati Laddu
Despite the controversy, the Tirupati laddu remains a revered part of temple offerings. Priced at just ₹50 for devotees, the laddus are a part of religious rituals, made using traditional ingredients like ghee, flour, and sugar. Their reputation as a divine offering has made them famous across the world, with pilgrims purchasing them by the millions every year.
This ongoing controversy raises questions about the integrity of food safety standards, religious sentiments, and political motives in Andhra Pradesh, leaving many awaiting clarity through further investigations.
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