Tests confirm beef fat, fish oil in Tirupati's prasad laddoo

A fresh controversy has emerged surrounding the iconic Tirupati temple laddoos, with claims of animal fat being used in the sacred prasad. Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has accused the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government of incorporating substandard ingredients such as fish oil and animal fats, including beef tallow, into the laddoos offered to Lord Venkateswara’s devotees.

These allegations gained traction after a report by NDDB CALF, a private lab specializing in animal feed testing, confirmed the presence of foreign fats like palm oil, fish oil, lard, and beef tallow in the ghee used for preparing the laddoos. Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh, a prominent TDP leader, expressed shock and outrage, stating that this has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus across the country.

In response, YSRCP leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Subba Reddy, dismissed these accusations as malicious and politically motivated. He stated that Naidu’s comments were aimed at damaging the reputation of the revered Tirumala temple for his own political gains. Subba Reddy stressed that no evidence supports such claims, and these statements have shaken the faith of millions of devotees.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) also reacted strongly to the issue, calling for strict action against anyone responsible for using animal fat in the laddoo prasad. BJP MLA T Raja Singh echoed this sentiment, labeling the incident as an assault on India's religious and cultural heritage.

Amid this escalating controversy, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y S Sharmila has demanded a high-level probe, potentially involving the CBI, to uncover the truth behind the claims. This controversy has cast a shadow over the religious significance of the Tirupati laddoo, a prasad cherished by millions of devotees across India.