NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday called for a thorough probe into the alleged use of animal oil in the preparation of Tirupati laddu and said that authorities across India must protect the sanctity of religious spaces.
Taking to X, Gandhi said that the issue hurt every devotee and needs to be thoroughly investigated.
"The reports about the defilement of the Prasad at Sri Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati are disturbing. Lord Balaji is a revered deity for millions of devotees in India and across the world. This issue will hurt every devotee and needs to be thoroughly looked into," Gandhi said.
"Authorities across India have to protect the sanctity of our religious spaces," the Congress leader added.
This comes a day after Telugu Desam Party cited a laboratory report supporting the claims made by Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu regarding the use of animal fat in the preparation of the renowned Tirumala laddu during the tenure of the previous government led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
A lab test report confirmed the presence of animal fat in the ghee used to prepare the famous Tirumala laddu during the term of the previous YSRCP government led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
According to the report, fish oil, beef tallow and lard was found in the sample of the prasad during the examination.
Earlier, Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of mixing animal fat in the ghee used to prepare the prasad during its term.
"They (YSRCP govt) have spoiled the quality of the free food service and did not even leave Lord Venkateswara's laddu by using substandard ingredients," he said.
Naidu said that he was astonished to find that poor quality material was used to prepare Lord Venkateswara's 'prasadam.'
YSRCP, however, denied the allegations and said Naidu was making wild statements for political gains
During YSRCP's tenure in government, TTD had given the ghee supply contract to a private contractor, replacing the 'Nandini' brand of ghee, a product of Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF). Following the change in supplier, there were several complaints over the quality of the laddu.
NDA govt on August 29 signed a contract once again with KMF for ghee. TTD utilises about 10,000 kg of ghee every day for the laddu 'prasadam'.
Taking to X, Gandhi said that the issue hurt every devotee and needs to be thoroughly investigated.
"The reports about the defilement of the Prasad at Sri Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati are disturbing. Lord Balaji is a revered deity for millions of devotees in India and across the world. This issue will hurt every devotee and needs to be thoroughly looked into," Gandhi said.
"Authorities across India have to protect the sanctity of our religious spaces," the Congress leader added.
This comes a day after Telugu Desam Party cited a laboratory report supporting the claims made by Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu regarding the use of animal fat in the preparation of the renowned Tirumala laddu during the tenure of the previous government led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
A lab test report confirmed the presence of animal fat in the ghee used to prepare the famous Tirumala laddu during the term of the previous YSRCP government led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
According to the report, fish oil, beef tallow and lard was found in the sample of the prasad during the examination.
Earlier, Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of mixing animal fat in the ghee used to prepare the prasad during its term.
"They (YSRCP govt) have spoiled the quality of the free food service and did not even leave Lord Venkateswara's laddu by using substandard ingredients," he said.
Naidu said that he was astonished to find that poor quality material was used to prepare Lord Venkateswara's 'prasadam.'
YSRCP, however, denied the allegations and said Naidu was making wild statements for political gains
During YSRCP's tenure in government, TTD had given the ghee supply contract to a private contractor, replacing the 'Nandini' brand of ghee, a product of Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF). Following the change in supplier, there were several complaints over the quality of the laddu.
NDA govt on August 29 signed a contract once again with KMF for ghee. TTD utilises about 10,000 kg of ghee every day for the laddu 'prasadam'.
