"An inquiry should be carried out": Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav on Tirupati Prasadam controversy
Sep 22, 2024
Mainpuri (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 22 : Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav on Sunday raised concerns about the substandard ingredients, including animal fat, used in the preparation of the Tirupati Laddu Prasadam and called for an investigation into the matter.
"No cognisance is being taken about the adulteration in the common man's food... An inquiry should be carried out into this sensitive matter. We have heard about a similar incident in Vrindavan as well... Adulterated food has reached every section of society in the form of adulterated grains, adulterated oil and ghee," she told ANI.
A controversy was sparked following recent claims by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who alleged that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus during the previous Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government.
Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the Tirumala hills of Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati district.
Earlier today, Congress leader Pawan Khera also called for a fast-track inquiry into the alleged use of 'animal fat' prasadam for Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple in Tirupati.
"It is very surprising that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer, appointed by Chandrababu Naidu's government, contradicts the claims of adulteration in the prasadam. This kind of atmosphere is bad for the faith of crores of devotees. A fast-track inquiry should take place and the strictest punishment to the guilty must be meted out," Khera told ANI.
Earlier today, Advocate K Karuna Sagar alleged that the previous YSRCP government used 'animal fat' in the Laddu Prasadam offered at Tirumala Temple in Tirupati, calling it an attack on Hindu sentiments and a "conspiracy."
Advocate Karuna Sagar expressed his shock, stating, "The Laddu Prasadam offered at Tirupati is world-famous for its divinity, sanctity, and quality. I was shocked and surprised after seeing the lab reports confirming that the low-quality ghee used in making the Laddu Prasadam contained beef, pork, and fish oil. This is an attack on Hindu sentiments... This is a conspiracy."
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan had claimed that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board was "altered for political gain" by the previous government.
"Prasadam distribution has been ongoing for over 100 years. But under YSRCP's rule, the TTD board was altered for political purposes. The Sri Venkateswara Trust was established, leading to various scams. Worship protocols were changed, and over 300 temples were desecrated," Kalyan said.
He further alleged that Ayodhya received 'contaminated' laddus from the TTD during the YSRCP regime.
"I question whether authorities are following protocols in all temples. Fish oil, beef tallow, and pork fat have been found in prasadam. Even Ayodhya received contaminated laddus from TTD during the YSRCP regime," Kalyan said.
Reacting to the allegations, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged on Friday that the Telegu Desam Party (TDP) is "politicising religious matters."