The Tirupati Laddu, an offering at one of India’s richest temples, has been found at the center of a major controversy. The Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has demanded an early report from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu over allegations that laddus were prepared using animal fat. It has set off a political firestorm and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken cognizance of this issue. The laddu so preciously held by millions of devotees is now under scrutiny as accusations and reports flow in both ways.
Allegations And Political Fallout
The drama started when Naidu accused the erstwhile government under Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy of using low-quality ingredients to prepare the Tirupati laddu. He maintained that animal fat was used, which sparked a major political storm. The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) promptly described Naidu’s statement as “heinous allegations” advanced for political purposes. Amidst all this, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) issued a laboratory report stating that the ghee used to make laddus indeed contained animal fat.
Nadda said, “I came to know about the issue through social media. Today I spoke to Chandrababu Naidu and requested him to send the report available so we can study it. We will seek the views of the state regulators too”. The ball is now in FSSAI’s court to study the reports and decide on a further course of action within the legal framework.
Calls For Investigation
Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi wanted an elaborate probe into the allegations and also expressed his concern for the devotees. “What the Andhra Chief Minister has said is a very serious matter. There has to be an in-depth probe into it, and the guilty need to be punished,” he stressed.
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Another Union Minister, Giriraj Singh, purportedly sought capital punishment for the accused of the alleged adulteration. “This is a grave injustice to the Hindu community,” he said. The controversy has led to considerable anguish among the devotees who treat the Tirupati laddu as a sacred offering.
Supplier Denies Allegations
As the controversy rages on, A.R. Dairy Food Pvt. Ltd., of Tamil Nadu denies the charges that it had sold adulterated ghee to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. It said that all the samples had passed tests before sending and also tested at the TTD office. “We have furnished all the test reports to the temple authorities,” a company spokesperson said.
TTD’s executive officer, J. Shyamala Rao said, “Because laboratory tests confirmed that the contents contained animal fat and lard, we blacklist A.R. Dairy. We have immediately stopped taking delivery of cow ghee from A.R. Dairy to maintain the sanctity of the temple and respect the religious sentiments of Hindus.
The situation has taken an interesting turn as a Supreme Court lawyer has filed a complaint against Jagan Mohan Reddy and others for denting the religious integrity of the temple. Further, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has acceded to the petition submitted by senior YSRCP leader Y.V. Subba Reddy in this regard. Reddy has sought an inquiry by a sitting judge or a committee, insisting on extricating the truth behind the baseless allegations made.
An Important Tradition
This historical shrine attracts more than 90,000 devotees every day, and the place the shrine holds in the Hindu worship history is marked by the Tirupati Laddu. The taste and smell could be markedly identified as laddu is prepared using boondi, jaggery syrup, and nuts. A sum of close to ₹500 crore reaches the temple annually, solely through laddu sales; therefore, the laddu-making process must stay in place, not just for the devotees but also for the temple’s treasury.
Traditionally, obtaining good dairy products for the Laddu has been difficult, which is why cost-cutting efforts have ensued. A.R. Dairy was selling ghee much cheaper than anyone else, and their quality was questionable.
TTD Establishes Lab For Ingredient Testing
TTD plans to set up an in-house laboratory to undertake regular testing of ingredients to ensure quality and hence preserve the religious excellence of the temple. Large-scale testing equipment for the kitchen has also been ordered by NDDB for Tirumala, bringing home the gravity of the situation.
The scenario does not ease up as the inquiry continues. The verdict will not only dispose of the reputation of the Tirupati laddu but also Andhra Pradesh’s political scenario, thus indicating that food safety and religious practices form two interconnected realms.
