The Tirupati laddu controversy has taken a new turn with the Andhra Pradesh police enforcing restrictions on gatherings in the Tirupati district. The move comes ahead of former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s scheduled visit to the Tirumala temple on September 27th. Section 30 of the Police Act, which prohibits meetings, rallies, and processions without police permission, will remain in effect until October 24th. This decision was made in the wake of allegations of animal fat adulteration in the laddu prasadam offered at the temple.
The YSR Congress Party, led by Jagan Mohan Reddy, plans to conduct pujas in temples across the state on September 28th, aiming to restore the sanctity of the Tirumala temple, which they claim has been tarnished by “false allegations” made by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
Adding to the growing tension, the Andhra Pradesh government has formed a nine-member special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the alleged presence of animal fat in the ghee used for making the laddu. The decision to form the SIT was announced by Chief Secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad in a late-night order on September 26th. The government’s move is in line with its commitment to protecting the sanctity of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the Lord Venkateswara temple.
The controversy erupted after Chief Minister Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of using substandard ingredients and animal fats in the laddu production during an NDA legislative party meeting. These allegations triggered widespread debate and condemnation, pushing the issue into the national spotlight. The SIT’s investigation is expected to shed light on the truth behind these claims and determine the authenticity of the laddu ingredients.
