The Tirupati Ladoo controversy has erupted into a major political and religious issue in Andhra Pradesh, involving allegations of using non-vegetarian ingredients such as animal fats in the sacred prasad. The incident began when a lab report from NDDB CALF indicated the presence of beef, including fish oil and lard, in the ghee used for making the Tirupati laddoos. This revelation has triggered outrage among devotees and political accusations between parties.
TTD Sets Up Expert Committee: Temple Trust Takes Measures to Ensure Quality Control Amid Scandal
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) administration has responded by setting up a four-member committee to investigate the quality of the ghee supplied and to ensure that only high-quality ingredients are used going forward. The committee, consisting of dairy experts, is expected to review the procurement process and recommend stricter measures to avoid such incidents in the future. TTD’s Executive Officer, J Syamala Rao, admitted that the current testing infrastructure for adulteration is inadequate and emphasized the need for better equipment to ensure purity in prasad preparation.
Politically, the controversy has led to a heated exchange between Andhra Pradesh’s current Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his predecessor, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Naidu has accused the previous YSR Congress government of allowing substandard and non-vegetarian ingredients to be used in the prasad, while Reddy’s party has labeled these allegations as false and an attempt to gain political mileage. The YSR Congress Party has even called for the formation of a “Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board” to oversee religious matters nationwide and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Ghee Supplier Denies Allegations: AR Dairy Food Private Limited Vows to Fight Charges Legally
In response to the allegations, AR Dairy Food Private Limited, the supplier of the ghee in question, has denied any wrongdoing. They have stated that their ghee is of high quality and that they are prepared to face legal scrutiny to prove their innocence. The company mentioned that only a small fraction of their production was sent to TTD and that they had complied with all quality standards.
Future Safeguards: TTD Committee to Recommend Stricter Measures for Prasadam Quality Control
The controversy has also attracted attention from the central government, with the BJP seeking a detailed report on the issue. Health Minister JP Nadda has assured that appropriate action will be taken once the facts are fully established. The incident has not only stirred religious sentiments but has also sparked a larger debate about the management and quality control of temple prasad across India.
Overall, this incident has highlighted significant concerns regarding religious practices, food safety, and political exploitation of sensitive issues, leaving many devotees anxious about the sanctity of one of India’s most revered temples.
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