Political Row Erupts Over Allegations of Animal Fat in Tirupati Temple Laddus

Andhra Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party has attacked rival YSR Congress over the presence of animal fat in ghee used to make laddus offered as prasad at the Tirupati temple. Tirupati laddu is offered at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati. The temple is run by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD).

According to a report, the laboratory of the Livestock and Food Analysis and Study Centre of the Government of India-run National Dairy Development Board in Gujarat has given this information.

The report has confirmed that the ghee used to make the famous Tirupati laddus during the YSRCP's tenure in power contained animal fat. The report revealed that the ghee contained traces of fish oil, beef fat and lard. At the same time, lard is a semi-solid white fat product, which is taken from the adipose tissue of pigs.

Meanwhile, senior YSRCP leader B. Karunakar Reddy on Thursday (September 19) said that CM Naidu has accused the use of substandard ingredients and animal fat in making Tirupati temple laddus only to gain political advantage. B. Karunakar Reddy, who has been the two-time president of the world-famous Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, alleged that Naidu has said this to target the opposition party and former CM of the state Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

B. Karunakar Reddy said, "To attack YSRCP, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and the previous government, he (Naidu) made this disgusting allegation that animal fat was used in making Swami’s laddus. This is condemnable. The former TTD chairman termed these allegations as 'inappropriate, horrific and unholy'. He said, "Any kind of allegations can be made, but making such allegations on Venkateswara Swamy's laddu for political gain is reprehensible.

Karunakar Reddy expressed surprise and asked whether it is possible to mix animal fat in laddu. He said that if someone does this then Lord Mahavishnu will destroy him. The YSRCP leader claimed that Naidu had made this allegation to gain political advantage. He said, "The gods will punish Naidu and his family.