Explained: The Tirupati laddoo row and the political controversy
The Tirupati temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, is currently embroiled in a controversy over its sacred laddoos that are offered as a prasad. A Gujarat-based lab has reported finding animal fat in the ghee used to make these devotional offerings. This revelation has sparked a political firestorm in Andhra Pradesh, with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu accusing his predecessor YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of "desecration" and corruption related to the procurement of "adulterated ghee."
Temple board's response
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) board, which oversees the temple, has yet to issue a formal statement on the matter. However, it has assembled a four-member committee to investigate quality standards in laddoo preparation. The TTD had requested the lab report following numerous public complaints about laddoo quality. Naidu's son and Andhra Pradesh's IT Minister, Nara Lokesh, also accused Reddy of serving substandard free food at the temple during his tenure.
BJP demands action, YSRCP refutes allegations
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), an ally of Naidu's Telugu Desam Party, has joined the outcry. Union Minister Bandi Sanjay condemned this as an "unforgivable sin" against a sacred offering. He suggested a communal angle to the controversy, alleging that it arose from the inclusion of individuals from other religions on the board. A BJP MP demanded legal action against Reddy for his alleged role in this controversy.
YSRCP defends against allegations, Congress calls for inquiry
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has vehemently defended against these accusations. Rajya Sabha MP YV Subba Reddy, former Chairperson of the TTD, called it "unimaginable" to suggest that animal fat was used in the consecrated food and laddoos. He accused Naidu of tarnishing the temple's sanctity with his claims. The Congress has remained relatively silent on this issue, but its state unit leader, YS Sharmila, has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry to verify these allegations.
Temple's procurement process and supplier change
Notably, the TTD board procures approximately 5 lakh kilograms of ghee annually through an e-tender floated every six months. The Karnataka Milk Federation previously supplied the ghee but stopped four years ago due to pricing issues. Reports suggest that during this period, the temple board switched to a supplier from Tamil Nadu's Dindigul, whose ghee allegedly contained traces of animal fat.
