Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The chief priest of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Acharya Satyendra Das, has confirmed that 300 kilograms of Tirupati prasad was distributed during the Ram Temple consecration ceremony in January. This revelation comes amid a growing controversy over the alleged use of animal fat in the preparation of Tirupati laddoos, which are made using ghee at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
“If animal fat was mixed in the prasad, it is unforgivable. Strict action should be taken against those responsible,” Mr. Das told PTI.
The Controversy Around Adulterated Ghee
The controversy erupted after lab reports confirmed the presence of lard and other impurities in the ghee supplied by a contractor to the temple. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) stated that the contractor responsible for the adulterated ghee had been blacklisted and legal proceedings have been initiated.
Political Backlash
The issue gained traction after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu raised concerns, accusing the previous YSRCP government, led by Jagan Mohan Reddy, of compromising the sacredness of the Tirupati laddoos by purchasing substandard ghee at cheaper rates. In response, Jagan Mohan Reddy dismissed the accusations as “diversion politics” aimed at deflecting from the current government’s failures.
Lab reports commissioned by the TDP backed Naidu’s claims, revealing traces of animal fats, including lard, beef tallow, and fish oil in the ghee samples. The TTD management confirmed that four separate tests yielded similar results, leading to the suspension of supplies from the blacklisted contractor.
Restoring Sacredness
In response to the findings, N Chandrababu Naidu announced that new suppliers, including the Nandini brand from Karnataka, had been engaged to ensure the purity of the laddoos. Former chief priest of the Tirupati temple, Ramana Deekshitulu, also expressed his concerns, stating that he had previously raised the issue with the TTD management without success.
Union Ministers Call for Investigation
The matter has drawn attention at the national level, with Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi calling for thorough investigations and reports from the Andhra Pradesh government. In response, the TTD has assured devotees that the purity of the Tirupati laddoos has been restored, and measures are in place to ensure only high-quality ingredients are used in the future.
