TIRUPATI, India —A serious allegation has emerged against the former government of Andhra Pradesh, implicating it in a scandal involving the sanctity of the famed Tirupati Temple’s religious offerings. Advocate K. Karuna Sagar claims that the previous administration under the YSRCP used low-quality ingredients including animal fat in the temple’s laddu prasadam, a sacred offering.
The advocate’s assertions have stirred controversy, as he lab claims identify the presence of beef, pork, and fish oil in the ghee used for making the prasadam. “The Tirupati laddu, renowned for its sanctity and divinity, was compromised, which is not just shocking but appears to be a targeted affront to Hindu devotees,” Sagar explained.
Supporting Sagar’s claims, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan pointed out administrative changes in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board that he believes were politically motivated under the YSRCP’s rule. Kalyan accused the previous government of altering worship protocols, leading to desecration and corruption. He emphasized that the integrity of the prasadam distribution, a century-old tradition, had been undermined.
Kalyan also highlighted that this alleged compromise extended beyond local implications. “Even Ayodhya, a critical spiritual center, received these contaminated laddus during that period,” he noted.
Further, he detailed broader religious infractions under the same regime, claiming, “There were 219 temples vandalized during this time. The administration showed a disregard for the sanctity of our places of worship, which spurred widespread concern among the Hindu community.”
The accusations gain additional weight following recent comments by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who also criticized the YSRCP government. Naidu alleged the use of substandard and inappropriate ingredients in the Tirupati laddus, echoing the concerns raised by both Sagar and Kalyan about a disregard for religious practices and the well-being of devotees.
These allegations have yet to receive a direct response from the YSRCP or from any representatives of the temple administration under their tenure. The implications of these claims are severe, striking at the heart of religious fidelity and trust that millions place in the temple’s practices.
This unfolding dispute not only questions the administration’s adherence to traditional religious practices but also highlights the potential entanglement of politics with religion’s most sacred aspects. For now, the devotees and observers await a thorough investigation and a clear response to restore confidence in the practices at one of Hinduism’s holiest sites.