BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has petitioned the Supreme Court for a court-monitored investigation into allegations that animal fat was used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus, a sacred offering at one of India’s most revered temples. Swamy’s plea comes amid escalating tensions and public outcry over the integrity of the ingredients used in these religious offerings.
The controversy ignited following claims by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu that the previous administration under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy allowed the use of animal fat in the laddus. This assertion has not only sparked a political feud but has also raised concerns among devotees about the sanctity of the prasadams offered at the Tirumala temple.
Swamy has requested the Supreme Court to direct the Andhra Pradesh government to submit a comprehensive report detailing the sourcing and testing of the ghee used in making the laddus. Furthermore, he has called for an immediate forensic analysis to authenticate the claims about the ingredients.
In a recent development, former Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and current Rajya Sabha member Y V Subba Reddy has also approached the apex court, advocating for an independent investigation led by a retired Supreme Court judge.
Amidst these allegations, the YSR Congress Party has accused Naidu of leveraging these “heinous allegations” for political leverage. In response, the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) circulated a laboratory report supporting its claims. Further complicating the issue, TTD Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao announced that recent lab tests confirmed the presence of animal fat in sample laddus, leading to the blacklisting of the implicated contractor.
