The Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) has approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court, calling for a court-monitored inquiry into allegations made by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) regarding the use of animal fat in the famous Tirupati Laddu prasadam. These claims were reportedly made during the tenure of former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Request for Judicial Oversight
During a hearing on Friday, the lawyer representing the YSRCP urged that either a sitting judge or a committee appointed by the High Court oversee the investigation into the claims made by TDP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. The court suggested that a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) should be filed by September 25, with hearings scheduled for that day.
Reddy Defends Against Allegations
Former Chief Minister Reddy addressed the media, vehemently denying the allegations regarding the use of animal fat in the Tirupati Laddu. He criticized the Andhra Pradesh government, asserting that such baseless claims were a new low in political discourse. “In the history of the temple, animal fat has never been used in the Laddoo. Ghee sourced from vendors has consistently passed tests for many years. Naidu is playing politics in the name of God,” he stated.
Pawan Kalyan’s Call for Action
In the midst of the controversy, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan proposed the establishment of a ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board.’ He expressed concern over the allegations and promised that the Andhra government would take action against anyone found involved in the purported incident. “The findings regarding the alleged mixing of animal fat in Tirupati Balaji Prasad are deeply disturbing. The TTD board formed by the YCP government must address this issue,” he stated in a post on X.
Congress Weighs In
The Congress party has also joined the fray, stating that if the allegations are proven to be false or politically motivated, it could lead to severe backlash from millions of Hindu devotees. Pawan Khera, head of Congress’ media and publicity department, emphasized that a thorough investigation is necessary. “If the claims of desecration are valid, a full inquiry must identify the guilty and impose strict punishments. However, if they are baseless, millions of devotees will not forgive those who manipulate their faith,” he said.
The Political Storm Intensifies
The controversy surrounding the Tirupati Laddu has escalated into a significant political issue, with the YSRCP accusing Naidu of making “heinous allegations” for political gain. The TDP has circulated a lab report from a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory that allegedly confirms adulteration in ghee samples provided by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the renowned Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple. TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy presented a purported lab report claiming the presence of beef tallow, lard, and fish oil in the ghee samples, dated July 9 and 16, 2024.
As the political row continues to unfold, the need for transparency and accountability in such sensitive matters remains paramount.