BJP’s ANS Prasad Urges Action on Tirumala Temple Laddu Controversy
The BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit has called on the Andhra Pradesh government to take swift action to restore trust among devotees of the Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple following allegations of animal fat in the sacred laddu prasadam.
ANS Prasad’s Statement
BJP Spokesperson ANS Prasad emphasized the need for a judicial inquiry and a CBI probe. He stated, “To restore trust, the Andhra Pradesh government must take swift action, consider a judicial inquiry, and entrust the CBI with the probe, ensuring transparency, accountability, and robust reforms in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.”
Controversy Details
Prasad highlighted that the controversy has caused widespread distress among the Hindu community worldwide. The issue centers on the alleged use of animal fat in the laddu prasadam, a cherished tradition. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu revealed that animal fat was found in the oil used for the laddus, along with excessive oil and inadequate in-house testing labs.
Government Response
In response, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations. Naidu stated, “We are forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising officers of IGP and above posts. The SIT will submit a report to the government and we will take action based on that report so that such things are not repeated.”
Naidu also mentioned that the government would take three angles: purification according to traditions, an inquiry at the IGP level, and the preparation of standard operating procedures for all temples.
Doubts Revealed
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party. It is one of the major political parties in India.
ANS Prasad -: ANS Prasad is a spokesperson for the BJP in Tamil Nadu. A spokesperson is someone who speaks on behalf of a group or organization.
Tirumala Temple -: The Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple is a famous Hindu temple located in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, a form of the god Vishnu.
Laddu -: Laddu is a type of sweet that is often given as prasadam (a religious offering) in Hindu temples.
Animal fat -: Animal fat is fat that comes from animals. In this context, it is a concern because it is not allowed in food offerings in Hindu temples.
Judicial inquiry -: A judicial inquiry is an investigation conducted by a judge or a court to find out the truth about a matter.
CBI -: CBI stands for Central Bureau of Investigation. It is India’s main investigative agency that looks into serious crimes and corruption.
Chandrababu Naidu -: Chandrababu Naidu is a politician and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, a state in India.
Special Investigation Team (SIT) -: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is a group of experts formed to investigate a specific issue or case thoroughly.
