Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has sparked a political firestorm by accusing the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and his predecessor, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, of using animal fats in the ghee used to make the iconic Tirupati laddoos. The controversy arose after a lab report from the Centre of Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) indicated the presence of animal fat in the ghee during the YSRCP’s tenure.
The report, from the National Dairy Development Board in Gujarat, highlighted traces of fish oil, beef tallow, and lard (pig fat) in the ghee used for making the famous prasadam laddoos offered at the Tirupati temple. The laddoos are a crucial aspect of worship at the revered Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, which attracts millions of devotees annually.
At a legislature party meeting in Amravati, Naidu lashed out, accusing his rivals of compromising the quality of the sacred offering. “Even Tirupati laddoo was made with substandard ingredients… they used animal fat instead of ghee,” he said, adding that his government has since ensured the use of high-quality ingredients in the temple’s offerings.
Naidu’s son, IT Minister Nara Lokesh, joined the fray, condemning the alleged actions of the YSRCP. He expressed shock at the claims, saying, “The Lord Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala is our most sacred temple. I am shocked to learn that the Jagan Mohan Reddy administration used animal fat instead of ghee… shame on them.”
YSR Congress Denies Claims, Calls Them Politically Motivated
The YSR Congress has strongly refuted the accusations, calling them “malicious” and politically motivated. YSRCP leader YV Subba Reddy defended the party, accusing Naidu of spreading lies for political advantage. Reddy challenged Naidu to take an oath alongside him to prove the veracity of the claims.
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Reddy took to social media, writing in Telugu on X (formerly Twitter), “It has been proved once again that Chandrababu (Naidu) will not hesitate to do anything bad for the benefit of politics.”
Congress Demands CBI Inquiry into the Allegations
The Andhra Pradesh Congress, led by former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s daughter, also weighed in on the controversy. She demanded a high-level investigation or a CBI inquiry to uncover the truth behind the allegations. She emphasized the importance of protecting the sanctity of the Tirupati temple and its offerings.
“If there are no political angles to your allegations… if you have no intention of playing politics on this issue… form a high-level committee or call for a CBI inquiry. Find out who is responsible,” she said on X.
Tirupati Temple and the Iconic Laddoo
The Tirupati laddoo is a sacred offering and an integral part of the worship at the temple. An estimated three lakh laddoos are made daily, with the temple trust procuring large quantities of ghee through e-tenders issued every six months. This controversy has stirred deep sentiments among devotees, raising concerns about the sanctity and purity of the offerings.
The political debate over the issue is likely to intensify as parties call for further investigation and accountability.
