Tirupati: Chandrababu Naidu has recently made serious allegations against the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), claiming that animal fat was used in the preparation of Tirupati’s famous laddu prasadam. He stated, “The Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala is the holiest temple for us, and I am shocked to learn that during the Congress government, animal fat was used in place of ghee for the laddu prasadam.”
Stir Caused by Naidu’s Statement
Tirupati: Naidu’s comments have sparked widespread controversy. On Wednesday, he accused the Jaganmohan Reddy-led government of using animal fat and fish oil instead of ghee in the prasadam from 2019 to 2024. His allegations have fueled heated discussions across Andhra Pradesh.
Strong Accusations Against the Jagan Government
Naidu further remarked, “The temple of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala is the most sacred for us, and I was astounded to learn that the Jagan government used animal fat in the prasadam. It is shameful that the YSRCP and the Jagan government did not respect the sanctity of this holy place and committed such a heinous act.”
YSRCP Denies Allegations
In response to Naidu’s claims, YSR Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Y.V. Subba Reddy dismissed the allegations as baseless. Reddy stated, “Chandrababu Naidu has hurt the sanctity of the sacred Tirumala temple and the faith of millions of Hindus. His comments are vile and disgraceful. No one would make such remarks or accusations. This proves once again that Naidu will stoop to any level for political gain.”
YSRCP Leader’s Challenge to Naidu
Reddy further added, “For the faith of the devotees, my family and I are ready to take an oath before God regarding the purity of the prasadam. But is Chandrababu Naidu willing to do the same?”
Quality Concerns During YSRCP Rule
It’s noteworthy that the quality of the Tirupati laddu prasadam had previously come under scrutiny during YSRCP’s rule. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) had often accused the government of compromising the quality. However, at that time, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) did not have the necessary resources to conduct a thorough investigation.
Establishment of New Testing Laboratory
To address these concerns, the TTD has recently set up a new sensory laboratory to assess the quality of the prasadam. TTD staff are currently undergoing quality training at an institute in Mysore to ensure higher standards.
Recent Reports Confirm Naidu’s Claims
While these allegations were initially unproven, recent testing reports suggest that Chandrababu Naidu’s claims may hold truth. According to the latest tests, animal fat, fish oil, and palm oil were indeed used in the preparation of the laddu prasadam at the sacred Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati.
