Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy Ensures Safe Prasada in Temples Amid Tirupati Laddu Controversy
Bengaluru (Karnataka), September 20: Karnataka Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced that all prasada offered at major temples in the state will be tested. He stated that only Nandini ghee supplied by the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) will be used in making the prasada at these temples.
“A circular will be issued today or tomorrow to all major temples in Karnataka mandating the use of only KMF’s Nandini ghee in prasada. We will also test the prasada given at these temples,” Reddy said.
This announcement follows claims by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus during the previous Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy responded by accusing the TDP of politicizing religious matters. He explained that the tender process occurs every six months with strict qualification criteria, including NABL and product quality certificates. He noted that products have been rejected 18 times during his regime.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda spoke to CM Naidu and requested a full report on the issue. Nadda assured that the Centre would examine the matter and take suitable action based on food safety standards.
Doubts Revealed
Karnataka -: Karnataka is a state in the southern part of India. It has many famous temples and is known for its rich culture and history.
Minister -: A minister is a person who is in charge of a specific department in the government. They make important decisions and help run the state or country.
Ramalinga Reddy -: Ramalinga Reddy is a politician in Karnataka. He is responsible for the Muzrai department, which looks after temples and religious places.
Prasada -: Prasada is food that is offered to a deity in a temple and then distributed to devotees. It is considered very holy and special.
Tirupati Laddu -: Tirupati Laddu is a famous sweet given as prasada at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh. It is very popular among devotees.
Muzrai -: Muzrai is a department in Karnataka that manages temples and religious places. It ensures that everything runs smoothly in these places.
Nandini ghee -: Nandini ghee is a type of clarified butter made by the Karnataka Milk Federation. It is used in cooking and is known for its quality.
Karnataka Milk Federation -: The Karnataka Milk Federation is an organization that produces and sells dairy products like milk, butter, and ghee in Karnataka.
Andhra Pradesh -: Andhra Pradesh is a state in the southeastern part of India. It is known for its temples, especially the Tirupati temple.
CM Chandrababu Naidu -: Chandrababu Naidu is a politician who was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He made claims about the quality of ingredients in Tirupati laddus.
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy -: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is a politician and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He accused another political party, TDP, of making the issue political.
TDP -: TDP stands for Telugu Desam Party, a political party in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the major parties in the state.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda -: JP Nadda is a politician who was the Union Health Minister of India. He is responsible for health-related issues across the country.
Food safety standards -: Food safety standards are rules and guidelines to ensure that food is safe to eat. They help prevent foodborne illnesses and ensure quality.
