Amaravati: After Gujarat-based National Dairy Board, which tested the ghee used in preparing the Tirumala Tirupati laddus, found traces of “foreign fat”, Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan voiced serious concerns and demanded immediate action.

Kalyan asserted that these findings of the report require answers from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board, currently overseen by the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government. He declared, “Our government is committed to taking the most stringent action possible.” The incident has raised critical questions about the practices surrounding temple offerings and has sparked a wider conversation about the safeguarding of religious traditions.

Taking to X, Pawan said, “We are all deeply disturbed with the findings of animal fat (fish oil,pork fat and beef fat )mixed in Tirupathi Balaji Prasad. Many questions to be answered by the TTD board constituted by YCP Govt then. Our Govt is committed to take stringent action possible. But, this throws light on many issues surrounding desecration of temples ,its land issues and other dharmic practices. Many be the time has come to constitute a ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’ at a National level to look into all the issues related to temples in entire Bharath. A debate has to happen at a National level by all the policy makers, religious heads, judiciary,citizens,media and all others in their respective domains. I think we all should come together to put an end to desecration of ‘Sanathana Dharma’ in any form.”

He proposed the establishment of a “Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board” at the national level to address these pressing issues, ensuring the protection and integrity of temples across India. Kalyan stressed the importance of initiating a national debate involving policymakers, religious leaders, judicial members, citizens, and the media. “A debate must take place at the national level to discuss these pressing issues and come together to protect Sanatana Dharma in all its forms,” he stated.

The controversy has further intensified as lawyers representing the YSRCP raised allegations made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu concerning the Tirumala Laddu prasadam. During a recent High Court session, the lawyer called for either a sitting judge or a committee appointed by the court to investigate Naidu’s claims that animal fat was mixed into the prasadam. The court suggested that a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) be filed by 25th September, with arguments to be heard on that date.

TDP’s Allegations Against YSRCP

N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday accused the previous YSRCP government of “adulterating” the sacred Tirumala Laddu. Naidu claimed that animal fat was used in place of pure ghee, sparking concerns.

“Even after numerous complaints, authorities had failed to maintain the sanctity of the revered prasadam,” Naidu said during an NDA coalition meeting in Mangalagiri. He further added, “They have behaved like evil… The Prasadam which is offered to god was also impure. Not only are adulterated ingredients used, but they have also used animal fat instead of ghee.”

Naidu expressed his dedication to restoring the purity of the prasadam: “We have ordered for pure ghee, and cleansing. Purity has increased, we are lucky that Lord Venkateshwara Swamy is in our state. The responsibility of saving Lord Venkateshwara Swamy lies on us.”

YSRCP Hits Back

Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP hit back at Naidu’s accusations, with party president Reddy writing in a post on X, “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.”

Subba Reddy challenged Naidu to take an oath regarding his claims, stating, “To strengthen the faith of the devotees, I and my family are ready to take an oath as witnesses of that God in the case of Tirumala Prasad. Is Chandrababu also ready to take oath with his family?”

Lab Test Finds Presence Of ‘Foreign Fat’ In Ghee

The Gujarat-based National Dairy Board, which tested the ghee used in preparing the Tirupati laddus, found traces of “foreign fat”, its report revealed by the TDP Thursday said. According to the report by National Dairy Development Board’s Centre of Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food, accessed by TIMES NOW, the ghee sample revealed the presence of “beef tallow, pig fat, and fish oil”. Amidst the ongoing war of words between the TDP and the YSRCP over the adulteration of Tirupati prasad, TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy presented the lab report at press conference Thursday. The sample receipt was recorded on July 9, 2024, and the report was dated July 16.

The report described its methodology, stating, “The S value of all equations for sample coded as AB021253 are falling out of the range as prescribed by method. If any S-value falls outside the corresponding limits, consider the sample to contain a foreign fat.”

The report listed potential foreign fats, which included soybean, sunflower, olive, rapeseed, linseed, wheat germ, maize germ, cottonseed, fish oil, coconut and palm kernel fat, palm oil, beef tallow, and lard.