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Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu acccused the previous YSRCP govt of using animal fat in Tirupati laddus. (Image: X/PTI)
A massive controversy erupted in Andhra Pradesh after CM Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP government used animal fat to prepare the Tirupati laddu prasadam
The ruling Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday (September 19) claimed that laboratory reports have detected adulterated oil containing “beef tallow” in the ghee used for making the world-renowned Tirupati prasadam.
This added more fuel to the fire after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of using animal fat for making the consecrated laddus, which are distributed to crores of followers who visit the Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala.
Amid the raging controversy, the Karnataka Milk Federation said it has supplied Nandini ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) — the board that manages the hill shrine — only after the regime change in the state and not during the previous government’s tenure. It issued a statement even though Naidu did not mention the federation.
This is not the first time questions have been raised on the prasadam distributed at the Tirumala temple. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has, in the past, harshly criticised the alleged severe compromise in its quality.
Over the years, there were no procedures at the TTD to test the cheese quality from which ghee is made for the Srivari laddus. But, the board has now set up a new sensory perception laboratory, where staff is being trained to carry out quality checks in Mysuru.
TDP shows ‘lab report’ confirming adulteration
The TDP claimed that the adulteration in the prasadam has been confirmed by Gujarat-based livestock laboratory, NDDB CALF Ltd on the ghee samples. Party spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy in a press conference displayed the purported lab report, which apparently confirmed the presence of “beef tallow” in the given ghee sample.
But, there was no official confirmation on the lab report from either the state government or the TTD. The purported report also claimed the presence of “lard” (relating to pig fat) and fish oil in the samples. The sample receipt date was July 9 and the report was dated July 16.
The Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) is a multidisciplinary analytical laboratory at the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in Gujarat’s Anand.
What is the controversy?
A massive row erupted after Naidu’s allegation that animal fat was used in the ghee for making the famous Tirupati prasadam. He alleged that substandard ingredients were used in making the laddus during the previous government. However, the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led administration has denied the charges.
“Even Tirumala laddu was made with substandard ingredients… they used animal fat instead of ghee,” he claimed, while addressing an NDA legislature party meeting in Amaravati on Wednesday (September 18).
He said pure ghee was now being used and everything has been sanitised at the temple leading to improved quality.
What is the YSRCP saying?
The YSRCP lashed out at the chief minister for making these accusation, saying this has undermined the deity and hurt the sentiments of Venkateswara’s followers. Senior party leader and former TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy termed the allegation as “malicious” and said the TDP chief will “stoop to any level for political gains”.
“It is unimaginable to even say that animal fat was used in the consecrated food offered to the deity and the laddus given to devotees. There is no other heinous attempt than alleging that animal fat was being used,” he said.
“I believe in Venkateswara Swamy and you (Naidu) claim to be a devotee too, so, come let’s swear before the deity. I am ready to take an oath before the deity. I will come and swear along with my family,” he said.
Earlier, senior YSRCP leader B Karunakar Reddy said the CM levelled allegations on the quality of famous Tirupati laddus only to derive political mileage. The leader, who twice served as the chairman of TTD, alleged that these claims were aimed at the opposition party and Jagan Mohan Reddy.
“To attack YSRCP, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and the previous government (YSRCP), he (Naidu) made heinous allegations that animal fat was used in making Swamy’s (deity) laddus. It is a deplorable experiment,” he told the local media.
Terming these allegations “unjustified, horrendous and sacrilegious”, he claimed that Naidu’s allegations were aimed at deriving political mileage and the deity “will take action against Naidu and his family”.
Meanwhile, state Congress chief YS Sharmila demanded a CBI probe to ascertain Naidu’s claims. She assailed him and the YSRCP for indulging in “heinous politics” over the preparation of Tirupati laddus.
She said Naidu’s allegations hurt the sentiments of crores of Hindus who consider Venkateswara as a revered deity. “Immediately constitute a high-level committee or investigate with the CBI whether animal fat was used instead of ghee,” she said in a press release.
(With PTI inputs)