The sanctity of the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, a revered pilgrimage site in India, has been shaken by a controversy surrounding the use of ghee in the consecrated sweets, known as Tirupati laddus. The storm erupted after Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh, from the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP), shared a video alleging the presence of ‘animal fat’ instead of ghee in the laddus during the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government’s tenure.
This allegation sparked a political firestorm, with the TDP accusing the YSRCP of disrespecting religious sentiments. A purported lab report, circulated by the TDP, claimed the laddus contained “beef tallow, fish oil” and other substandard ingredients, even suggesting the presence of “lard” (pig fat) in the samples. In response, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the body managing the temple, announced the blacklisting of the contractor who supplied the ‘adulterated’ ghee, emphasizing the importance of using pure cow ghee to uphold the sanctity of the prasadam.
The controversy extended to dairy companies supplying ghee to the temple. AR Dairy, a Tamil Nadu-based company, refuted allegations of supplying substandard ghee, claiming their product samples were duly certified by authorities. While Amul, India’s leading dairy brand, clarified that they never supplied ghee to the TTD, Karnataka Milk Federation’s (KMF) Nandini announced its intention to resume supplying ghee to the temple, emphasizing the purity of their product. However, KMF previously withdrew from the tender due to the inability to meet the low rates offered by other companies.
The controversy has also attracted national attention, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemning the reports of “defilement of the Prasad” and calling for a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, the Union Health Minister, JP Nadda, has requested a full report on the matter, promising to take appropriate action after reviewing it.
This incident has highlighted the complex interplay between politics, religion, and business in India. The TDP’s accusations against the YSRCP, coupled with the involvement of various dairy companies, have transformed the controversy into a full-blown political battle. The investigation into the allegations and the subsequent actions by the authorities will likely determine the future course of this contentious issue, impacting the religious sentiments of millions of devotees across the country.
