Tirupati Laddu Controversy Heats Up: Naidu’s Claims Backed, Jagan Accuses CM of Politicizing Temple Affairs

The ongoing dispute over adulterated ghee used in the famous Tirupati temple laddus escalated as the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) backed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s claims. The TTD confirmed that lab tests had found animal fat and lard in ghee samples supplied for making the sacred laddus offered as prasadam at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple.

TTD’s Executive Officer, Shyamala Rao, explained that the temple’s inability to test for adulteration in-house led to undetected contamination. Lab reports revealed the presence of lard (pig fat), prompting immediate action to halt supplies, blacklist the contractor, and initiate penalties. The controversy emerged when Naidu alleged that the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government allowed the use of substandard ingredients, supported by a lab report from Gujarat, confirming the presence of lard, beef tallow, and fish oil.

YSRCP leaders, including former TTD chairmen YV Subba Reddy and B Karunakar Reddy, dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. They accused Naidu of using religious issues for political gain, while Congress and BJP leaders called for an impartial investigation, with demands for a CBI probe into the matter.

The controversy continues to stir public emotions, with religious and political implications at the forefront.