In a heated exchange over allegations regarding the use of animal fat in the famed Tirupati laddus, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has issued a strong letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, branding incumbent Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu a “pathological liar.” Reddy accused Naidu of damaging the beliefs of millions purely for political gain.
The leader of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) emphasized that the nation is watching and called for the Prime Minister to reprimand Naidu for his “shameless act of spreading lies.” He demanded that the truth be clarified to dispel the doubts raised among Hindu devotees regarding the sanctity of the offerings at the Sri Venkateswara Temple.
This controversy arises in the context of Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) sweeping the recent Andhra Pradesh elections, which resulted in Reddy’s removal as Chief Minister. The TDP, a crucial ally of the BJP at the national level, plays a significant role in maintaining the NDA’s majority in the Lok Sabha.
Reddy accused Naidu of attempting to “irreparably tarnish the sanctity, integrity, and reputation” of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), warning that such actions could have severe consequences. He claimed that the negative perception of the current government was prompting Naidu to divert attention from its shortcomings.
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During a recent NDA legislative party meeting, Naidu alleged that the laddus, offered as prasad by the temple, were made using animal fat under Reddy’s administration. In response, Reddy clarified that a tanker containing potentially contaminated ghee had arrived at Tirupati on July 12 but was promptly rejected, ensuring that it was never used in prasad preparations.
The former Chief Minister emphasized that TTD has stringent quality control measures, stating that all incoming ghee tankers must have certification of purity from accredited agencies. He noted that three samples from each tanker are tested, and if any fail, the tanker is rejected. This long-standing practice ensures that only high-quality ingredients are used for the holy offerings.
Reddy criticized Naidu for not acknowledging these rigorous checks, suggesting that a responsible Chief Minister should reassure the public about TTD’s operational integrity rather than undermine it. He also pointed out serious disclaimers in Naidu’s claims regarding the alleged findings, stating that certain conditions could yield misleading results in testing.
In his letter, Reddy condemned Naidu for raising the issue during a political meeting, stating that the timing indicated a lack of genuine concern about the alleged adulteration. He accused Naidu of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain, which he argued diminished the stature of both the Chief Minister’s office and public life.
Reddy concluded by urging the Prime Minister to intervene and clarify the matter, stressing that doing so would restore faith among millions of devotees in the sanctity of the TTD and its practices.
