Friday, 20 September 2024
Friday, 20 September 2024
In a heated political battle over the sanctity of the Tirupati laddu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu sparked a controversy, alleging that the previous YSRCP government used substandard ingredients, including animal fat, in the preparation of the famous consecrated sweet. The accusations have stirred strong reactions from political leaders across party lines, turning the issue into a major political weapon.
N Chandrababu Naidu
CM N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, had been used in the sacred offering at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). Naidu said, “The previous government had used substandard ingredients and animal fat in making the world-renowned Tirupati laddu. However, pure ghee is now being used, and everything has been sanitised at the temple, leading to improved quality.”
YV Subba Reddy
Reacting sharply to Naidu’s allegations, senior YSRCP leader and former TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy lashed out, calling the claims 'malicious.' Reddy, who served two terms as TTD chairman, asserted that Naidu’s statements were a ploy for political mileage. “There is no other heinous attempt than alleging that animal fat was being used,” Reddy remarked, further challenging Naidu to take an oath before the deity at Tirumala to prove his claims. “Naidu has severely damaged the sanctity of the holy Tirumala and the faith of crores of Hindus with his comments. Would he take an oath along with his family before the deity, as I am willing to do?” asked Reddy.
Y S Sharmila
The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president, YS Sharmila, weighed in on the controversy, criticising both the ruling TDP and the Opposition YSRCP for politicising the sacred laddu. She called for a high-level investigation to uncover the truth. “Naidu’s allegations hurt the sentiments of crores of Hindus who consider Lord Venkateswara a revered deity,” Sharmila said, demanding, “Immediately constitute a high-level committee or investigate with the CBI whether animal fat was used instead of ghee.”
B Karunakar Reddy
YSRCP leader B Karunakar Reddy, a former TTD chairman, also dismissed Naidu’s accusations, suggesting that the claims were aimed at tarnishing the image of the YSRCP and its leader, Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. “To attack YSRCP, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, and the previous government, he (Naidu) made heinous allegations that animal fat was used in making laddus. It is a deplorable experiment,” said Karunakar Reddy. He further warned that anyone who dared mix animal fat with the laddu would face divine wrath. “If anyone had resorted to such a practice, they would be destroyed by Lord Maha Vishnu.”
Nara Lokesh
Andhra Pradesh IT Minister and Naidu’s son, Nara Lokesh, also entered the fray, taking aim at the Jagan Mohan Reddy administration. Lokesh accused the YSRCP of failing to honour the religious sentiments of millions of devotees who hold the Tirupati laddu sacred. “The Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala is our most sacred temple. I am shocked to learn that the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy administration used animal fat instead of ghee in the Tirupati Prasadam,” he said.
Vinod Bansal
Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) termed Naidu's allegation that animal fat was used in making the famous Tirupati laddu as 'serious issue', and demanded stern action against those involved in it. "Everybody knows about the anti-Hindu acts and deeds of the previous YSR government in Andhra Pradesh but nobody could expect that it may fall down to this level," VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said in a statement.
