Health Minister Orders Detailed Probe into Tirumala Laddu Controversy

Allegations Spark Concerns Over Sacred Prasad

Union Health Minister JP Nadda has called for a comprehensive report on the controversy surrounding the famous Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) laddus in Andhra Pradesh. This directive follows claims by Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) that a lab in Gujarat discovered traces of beef tallow, fish oil, and pig fat in the ghee used for the sacred laddus during the administration of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Political Accusations Heighten Tensions

Key allies of the BJP, including TDP and Jana Sena, have launched scathing attacks on Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRC government, accusing it of desecrating the sanctity of the temple and compromising “Sanatan Dharma.” Naidu accused the former YSRCP government of adulterating the sacred Tirumala Laddu by using animal fat instead of pure ghee, raising alarm among devotees.

Jagan Mohan Reddy’s Response

In response to Naidu’s allegations, Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP dismissed the claims as baseless. Reddy took to X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Chandrababu Naidu committed a great sin by damaging the sanctity of the divine temple Tirumala and the faith of hundreds of crores of Hindus. Chandrababu’s comments on Tirumala Prasad are very evil. No one born of human birth speaks such words or makes such accusations.”

Lab Tests Confirm Presence of ‘Foreign Fat’

According to a report from the National Dairy Development Board’s Centre of Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food, traces of “foreign fat” were found in the ghee used for the laddus. The lab report, revealed by the TDP, indicated the presence of beef tallow, pig fat, and fish oil. TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy presented these findings during a press conference, stating that the sample was received on July 9, 2024, and the results were dated July 16.

Controversy Continues

The revelation has further escalated the war of words between the TDP and the YSRCP, as both parties continue to trade accusations regarding the adulteration of the sacred prasad. The matter remains under scrutiny as the health minister awaits the detailed report.