A controversy has erupted over the alleged use of substandard ingredients and animal fat in the making of the world famous Tirupati laddu. The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Thursday claimed that the Gujarat-based livestock lab had confirmed the adulteration of the laddu with animal fat. TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy showed the alleged lab report at a press conference which confirmed the presence of beef fat in the ghee sample given.
The alleged lab report also claimed the presence of ‘lard’ (related to pig fat) and fish oil in the samples. The date of taking the samples was July 9, 2024 and the lab report was dated July 16. There has been no official confirmation on the lab report from the Andhra Pradesh government or the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the famous Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple.
The lab- CALF (Centre for Livestock and Food Analysis and Studies) is a multi-disciplinary analytical lab of NDDB (National Dairy Development Board) located at Anand in Gujarat. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday alleged that the previous YSRCP government used substandard material and animal fat in making the sacred sweet Tirupati laddu.
YSRCP opposed Naidu’s claim
Meanwhile, YSRCP on Thursday rejected the claim of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. YSRCP president and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s sister and state Congress chief YS Sharmila demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe to verify Naidu’s claim. She attacked the Chief Minister and YSRCP for doing disgusting politics over the preparation of Tirupati Laddu.
Sharmila said Naidu’s allegations have hurt the sentiments of crores of Hindus who consider Lord Venkateswara as a revered deity. “Immediately constitute a high-level committee or order a CBI inquiry to find out whether animal fat was used instead of ghee,” Sharmila said in a press release. Senior YSRCP leader and Rajya Sabha member Y.V. Subba Reddy said Naidu’s allegations have damaged the sacred nature of the deity and hurt the sentiments of devotees.
Subba Reddy said, “It is also unimaginable to say that animal fat was used in the prasad offered to the lord and laddus given to the devotees. Alleging the use of animal fat is a disgusting attempt.” He said, “I have faith in Venkateswara Swamy and you (Naidu) also claim to be his devotee, so let’s take oath in front of the deity. I am ready to take oath in front of the deity. I will come with my family and take oath.”
Vishwa Hindu Parishad demanded strict action
On the other hand, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Thursday termed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s allegation of using animal fat in making the famous Tirupati laddu as a serious issue and demanded strict action against those involved in this matter. VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said in a statement, “Everyone knows about the anti-Hindu acts of the previous YSR government of Andhra Pradesh, but no one expected that it would stoop to this level.”
He said, “This is a very serious issue, which has been raised by none other than Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. Those who use animal fat in Tirupati Laddu Prasadam should be punished.” He demanded “quick and strict action against the culprits”. Bansal said, “Those who use animal fat in Tirupati Laddu Prasadam should be punished.”
