The controversy over the ghee used to make laddus at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh is heating up. Actor and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has alleged that animal fats such as fish oil, pig fat and cow fat were allegedly mixed in the laddus. He has demanded accountability from the previous Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) board formed under the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in this matter.
Kalyan posted on ‘X’, “We are all deeply disturbed by the issue of mixing animal fat (fish oil, pork fat and beef fat) in Tirupati Balaji’s prasad. The TTD board formed by the YSRCP government will have to answer many questions.” The Janasena Party chief (Kalyan) said that the time has come to form a ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’ at the national level to look into the issues related to temples in the country. He said, “There should be a discussion at the national level between all the policy makers, religious heads, judiciary, citizens and others from the concerned fields.” Kalyan appealed to everyone to come together to put a full stop to any form of desecration of ‘Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism)’.
His comment drew a strong response from actor Prakash Raj. Prakash Raj accused Pawan Kalyan of turning a regional issue into a national controversy. He advised him to investigate the matter locally and avoid further escalating communal tensions. Prakash Raj wrote in response, “Dear Pawan Kalyan, this has happened in the state where you are the Deputy Chief Minister. Please investigate the matter, catch the culprits and take strict action. Why are you spreading fears and raking up this issue at the national level? There is already enough communal tension in the country.”
The controversy escalated further when the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) on Friday confirmed that animal fat, specifically pig fat, was found in the ghee used to make the laddus. The TTD said that tests of the ghee used for ‘prasad’ revealed the presence of animal fat, and the guilty supplier has been blacklisted. Legal action has also been initiated in the matter.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on the occasion criticised the YSRCP government, saying that the sanctity of Tirupati laddus was compromised during the previous regime. Naidu announced that his government has restored the sanctity of the laddus by supplying ghee from Karnataka’s Nandini brand.