Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh Vows Action Over Tirupati Prasadam Controversy

Vijaywada (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 21: Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh has responded strongly to the controversy surrounding the presence of animal fat in Tirupati Prasadam. Lokesh emphasized that ‘nobody will be spared’ and expressed that his own sentiments have been hurt by the issue.

According to a July report, animal fat was found instead of ghee in the Tirupati Prasadam. Lokesh stated that the analysis done by the government-run lab is clear and that the allegations made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu are based on facts. ‘Action will be taken. CM will make a statement on it (demand for CBI inquiry). Nobody will be spared but we will not drop this matter just with a CBI inquiry. Further steps have to be taken. We have to put a ‘full stop’ to this…Structural changes to ensure that this doesn’t happen in the days to come have to be made, CM will announce the policy for it,’ Lokesh said.

Targeting former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Jagan Mohan Reddy, Lokesh said, ‘This happens when the CM doesn’t have a vision. We personally also feel very bad. We are going to streamline the process of investigation.’

Regarding the late disclosure of the report, Lokesh stated, ‘TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) operates as an independent body. The Chief Minister’s role is limited to appointing the Executive Officer. It is an autonomous organization, and the report went directly to the Chief Minister.’

Several opposition leaders have criticized the previous government of Andhra Pradesh amid the ongoing controversy and have called for action against those responsible for ‘hurting the Hindu sentiments.’ Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu called it a matter of people’s faith and said the allegations have hurt the sentiments of devotees. ‘This (Tirupati Prasadam issue) is a matter related to the faith, there should be no ifs and buts. I want these things to be false, as it hurts people’s sentiments. We also go there. If the Union Health Minister has said that an inquiry will be done, it must be welcomed,’ Bittu said.

Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Sidharth Nath Singh commented, ‘Recently we are seeing in politics that, particularly the opposition–be it Congress, Samajwadi Party, now recently we are seeing on Tirupati Prasadam the previous government of Jagan Reddy, they all love to and it has become a political habit to insult the Hindu faith, the Sanatana Dharma. So, this is becoming a kind of political activity.’

The controversy arose after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus, a sweet offered at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, during the previous Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government.

Reacting to the allegations, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is ‘politicising religious matters.’ ‘The tender process occurs every six months, and the qualification criteria has not changed for decades. Suppliers must provide an NABL certificate and a product quality certificate. TTD collects samples from the ghee, and only products that pass certification are used. TDP is politicising religious matters. We have rejected the products in our regime 18 times,’ the former CM said.

YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy also stated that he will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, claiming that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has twisted the facts.