The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Thursday claimed that a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory confirmed the presence of "beef tallow," "lard" (pig fat), and fish oil in the ghee used for making the famous Tirupati laddu.
TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy presented the alleged lab report during a press conference, stating the sample was received on July 9, 2024, and the report was dated July 16.
On Wednesday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government, led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, of using ‘animal fat’ in place of ghee in the laddus offered as ‘prasad’ at the Tirupati temple of Lord Venkateswara.
The TDP leader cited a report from the Centre of Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) at the National Dairy Development Board, Gujarat, alleging that the ghee contained traces of fish oil, beef tallow, and lard, which is semi-solid pig fat. “The lab reports confirm the use of beef tallow, lard, and fish oil in the ghee supplied to Tirumala, with an S value of just 19.7,” said TDP’s Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy, as reported by ANI. He also shared the lab report.
On Thursday, the Karnataka Milk Federation clarified that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board had not purchased ghee from them in the past four years, adding that since the TDP, led by Naidu, came to power in Andhra Pradesh, they have been using Nandhini Ghee.
The Tirumala temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is revered as Kaliyuga Vaikuntha, and the deity is known as Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam.
A political controversy over the use of ‘animal fat’ in the Tirupati laddu erupted during an NDA legislative meeting on Wednesday when Naidu alleged that the YSRCP government had compromised the quality of the laddus by using substandard ingredients and animal fat.
Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh shared a video clip of his father, CM Naidu, speaking on the issue, saying, “The Tirumala Temple, our most sacred place, has been disrespected by the Y. S. Jagan administration, which used animal fat instead of ghee in the laddus.”
State Congress chief Y S Sharmila, sister of YSRCP leader and former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, has called for a CBI investigation into Naidu’s claims, criticizing the ruling party for engaging in “vile politics” over the Tirupati laddu.
Senior YSRCP leader B Karunakar Reddy, a former chairman of the TTD, dismissed Naidu’s allegations as politically motivated, accusing him of targeting YSRCP and its leader YS Jagan for personal gain.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) also expressed concern, describing Naidu’s accusations as “serious” and calling for strict action against those responsible. VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal remarked, “Everyone knows about the anti-Hindu actions of the previous YSR government, but this is shocking,” urging for swift punishment of the culprits.
