Andhra Pradesh government cites lab report amid controversy over animal fat in Tirupati laddoos

PTC News Desk: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has criticised the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and its leader, former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, over a laboratory report alleging the presence of animal fat in the ghee used to prepare the famous Tirupati laddoos, a sacred offering at the Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala.

The controversy stems from a July 17 lab report by the Centre of Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF), under the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in Gujarat. Released on Wednesday, the report claimed that animal fats, including traces of fish oil, beef tallow, and lard (rendered pig fat), were found in the ghee used to make the laddoos during the YSRCP administration.

Chief Minister Naidu expressed his outrage during a legislature party meeting in Amravati, stating, “Even the sacred Tirupati laddoo was compromised with substandard ingredients, replacing ghee with animal fat.” He assured the public that his administration has since improved the quality of ingredients used at the temple, ensuring that only high-grade ghee is now utilised for the prasadam (religious offering).

Nara Lokesh, the state’s IT Minister and Naidu’s son, also condemned the previous administration’s actions. “The Lord Venkateswara Temple is our most sacred place. It is shocking to learn that the YSRCP government allowed animal fat instead of ghee to be used. This is a grave disrespect to the religious sentiments of millions of devotees,” Lokesh stated.

Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, a member of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), echoed these sentiments in a statement. He accused the YSR Congress of not only engaging in corruption but also of undermining the sanctity of the temple. “We always knew there was corruption, but this revelation about Tirupati laddoos is both shocking and disgusting. The NDDB’s report confirms the presence of animal fat, and we will investigate further to hold those responsible accountable.”

The YSR Congress Party, however, has vehemently denied the allegations, labeling them as politically motivated lies. YV Subba Reddy, a senior leader of the YSRCP, accused Chandrababu Naidu of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain. He challenged Naidu, stating, “Chandrababu will go to any lengths for political advantage. I am ready to take an oath to prove these claims false. Is Naidu ready to do the same?”

The Congress Party has also entered the fray, with YS Sharmila, Jagan Mohan Reddy’s sister and the head of the Congress Party’s state unit, calling for a high-level Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter. She stressed that the issue is damaging to the religious sentiments of millions of Hindus and demanded that the truth be uncovered through a thorough investigation.

“These are serious allegations that impact the sanctity of a deity worshipped by millions. If there are no political motives behind these claims, the government should form a high-level committee or call for a CBI inquiry to find out who is responsible,” Sharmila stated.

The controversy comes as the Tirupati temple trust produces approximately 300,000 laddoos each day, with large quantities of ghee purchased through e-tenders issued every six months. The allegations have raised questions about the procurement and quality control processes under the previous administration, and the state government now faces pressure to address the issue transparently.

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