"Previous government played with sentiments of people": TDP slams YSRCP over Tirupati Prasadam controversy
Sep 22, 2024
NTR (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 22 : The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Sunday criticised the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP government over the Tirupati Prasadam controversy, accusing it of playing with people's emotions and disregarding their sentiments.
In an official statement, the TDP said, "Every religion has certain traditions and commitments, and the government needs to respect all of them, Chandrababu Naidu stated while interacting with the media at the TDP central office, where he received appeals from visitors. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister claimed that the previous government had played with people's sentiments and failed to honour their feelings. He further remarked that the Lord himself had led him to reveal these facts about the Laddu."
Earlier today, Congress leader Pawan Khera also called for a fast-track inquiry into the alleged use of 'animal fat' in the prasadam at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirupati.
"It is surprising that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer, appointed by Chandrababu Naidu's government, contradicts the claims of adulteration in the prasadam. Such an atmosphere is detrimental to the faith of crores of devotees. A fast-track inquiry must be conducted, and the guilty should face the strictest punishment," Khera told ANI.
Earlier, Advocate K Karuna Sagar alleged that the previous YSRCP government had 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 to see 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."
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan 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.
On September 19, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu sparked a political controversy by claiming that the ghee used in the preparation of Tirupati Laddu Prasadam, offered at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirupati, contained animal fat during the previous YSRCP government.
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the Tirumala hills of Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati district.
