Tirupati laddus were distributed during Ayodhya Ram temple's consecration: Priest
What's the story
Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, has confirmed that "prasad" from the Tirupati temple was distributed at the Ram Temple earlier this year. The prasad, specifically 300kg of laddus from the Tirupati temple, was given to devotees during the pran pratishtha or consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in January. This revelation comes amid a controversy surrounding these laddus after allegations surfaced about "animal fat" being used in their preparation.
Call for action
Priest demands investigation into laddu controversy
Das expressed his outrage over the allegations of "animal fat" being used in the ghee for preparing these laddus. He stated that if animal fat was mixed in the prasad, it is "unforgivable and strict action should be taken against those involved." The chief priest also called for an investigation by a major agency into this matter, adding that Vaishnav saints and devotees do not even use garlic and onions, so using fat in offerings is very unfortunate.
Allegations surface
Controversy over alleged use of animal fat in laddus
The controversy began when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu accused his predecessor, Jagan Mohan Reddy, of allowing the use of substandard ingredients and animal fat in the laddus. Naidu's party cited a lab report from Gujarat claiming the presence of "beef tallow," "lard" (pig fat), and fish oil in the ghee used for preparing these sweets. However, Reddy has denied these allegations, dismissing them as a diversionary tactic.
Government intervention
Centre seeks report on laddu ingredients
The Centre has also intervened in the controversy, with Union Health Minister JP Nadda demanding a report on the ingredients used in the laddus from the Andhra Pradesh government. Nadda stated that he learned about the issue through social media and has spoken to Naidu, asking him to share any available reports for examination. He also plans to consult with state regulators and take suitable action within the legal framework and regulations under FSSAI.
Adulteration confirmed
Temple governing body confirms adulteration in laddus
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the governing body of the temple, has confirmed the adulteration in the laddus citing lab reports. Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao stated that the temple's suppliers have been blacklisted and legal proceedings are underway. Notably, the Tirupati Laddu is known for its unique taste and has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.