Controversy Over Tirupati Laddus: TDP Claims Use of Animal Fat, YSRCP Denies Allegations
- Posted on September 20, 2024
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- By Arijit Dutta
- 202 Views
A political dispute has emerged in Andhra Pradesh after TDP's Chandrababu Naidu claimed animal fat was used in Tirupati temple laddus during YSRCP's rule. TDP presented a lab report alleging the presence of beef tallow and fish oil, but YSRCP dismissed the claims as politically motivated, sparking further controversy.
A political storm has erupted in Andhra Pradesh after Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government, led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, of using animal fat in the sacred laddus offered at the Tirupati temple. Naidu's claim, which alleged the use of "beef tallow" instead of ghee, was supported by a lab report from a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory, according to TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy.
The lab report, provided by the Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock & Food (CALF), supposedly confirmed the presence of beef fat, lard (pig fat), and fish oil in the ghee samples used in making the laddus. The TDP revealed that the samples were collected on July 9, and the report was finalized on July 16, 2024. However, no official confirmation has come from either the Andhra Pradesh government or the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the famous temple.
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) swiftly denied the allegations, accusing Naidu of using "heinous" claims for political advantage. Senior YSRCP leader YV Subba Reddy called Naidu's accusations an insult to devotees and the sanctity of the temple. The ruling party dismissed the claims as baseless and offensive, sparking further tension.
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Meanwhile, the BJP has demanded legal action, with party leaders asserting that the religious sentiments of the Hindu community have been deeply hurt. Despite the lab report, the controversy remains unresolved, as political figures on both sides continue to exchange heated accusations.
