"It has become political habit to insult Hindu faith": BJP's Sidharth Nath Singh over Tirupati Prasad row

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 21 : As the controversy over the alleged use of animal fat in making Tirupati laddoos intensified, BJP MLA Sidharth Nath Singh on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the opposition and said that it has become a political habit of opposition to insult the Hindu faith, the Sanatana Dharma.
Speaking to ANI, Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Sidharth Nath Singh said, "Recently we are seeing in politics that, particularly the opposition--be it Congress, Samajwadi Party, now recently we are seeing on Tirupati Prasadam the previous government of Jagan Reddy, they all love to and it has become a political habit to insult the Hindu faith, the Sanatana Dharma. So, this is becoming a kind of political activity."
Singh further said that the central government, within the law, will take the strictest action required against the accused.
He further said, "It doesn't surprise me because during 2024 Lok Sabha elections also, one of the key issues of election was the high level of conversion which was happening under the Jagan Reddy's government. So, Hindus were being converted in large numbers. So, it's a serious issue. Those who can go on large conversions of Hindus can also play with the Hindu faith with prasadam laddus of Tirupati Temple. So, it doesn't surprise. But the Government of India, our national president and the Health Minister JP Nadda has already said that the report has been sought and the Central Government, within the law, will take the strictest action which is required."
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu called it a matter of people's faith, and said the allegations have hurt the sentiments of devotees.
Speaking to ANI, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu said, "This (Tirupati Prasadam issue) is a matter related to the faith, there should be no ifs and buts. I want these things to be false, as it hurts people's sentiments. We also go there. If the Union Health Minister has said that an inquiry will be done, it must be welcomed."
The row comes days after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus, a sweet offered at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, during the previous Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government.
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."
"The tender process occurs every six months, and the qualification criteria has not changed for decades. Suppliers must provide an NABL certificate and a product quality certificate. TTD collects samples from the ghee, and only products that pass certification are used. TDP is politicising religious matters. We have rejected the products in our regime 18 times," the former CM said.
YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday said that he will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and claimed that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has twisted the facts.
The YSRCP also moved to the Andhra Pradesh High Court, demanding an investigation into the claims made by the ruling party.
The lawyers representing the YSRCP, requested the court that either a sitting judge or a committee should be appointed by the High Court to investigate the claims made by the Chief Minister.
Earlier on Thursday, Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh shared a video clip in which Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was seen saying that previously animal fat was used in consecrated sweets--'Tirupati Prasadam' instead of 'Ghee' at Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati.
In a post on X, Andhra Minister Nara Lokesh said that he was shocked by the findings and added, "The Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Tirumala is our most sacred temple. I am shocked to learn that the YS Jagan administration used animal fat instead of ghee in the Tirupati Prasadam."
Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Tirumala hills at Tirupati in the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh.