Rahul Gandhi Calls for Protection of Religious Sanctity Amid Tirupati Prasadam Controversy

New Delhi, India – Amidst the controversy over allegations of adulteration in the laddoos served as ‘prasadam’ at Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi termed it ‘disturbing’ and urged authorities to protect the sanctity of religious spaces.

‘The reports about the defilement of the Prasad at Sri Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati are disturbing. Lord Balaji is a revered deity for millions of devotees in India and across the world. This issue will hurt every devotee and needs to be thoroughly looked into. Authorities across India have to protect the sanctity of our religious spaces,’ Rahul Gandhi posted on X.

This statement came after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus during the previous Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced that all prasada offered at major temples in the state will be tested. ‘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.

Reacting to the Tirupati Prasadam issue, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy stated that the TDP is ‘politicising religious matters.’ He explained that the tender process occurs every six months and that the qualification criteria have not changed for decades. ‘Suppliers must provide an NABL certificate and a product quality certificate. The TTD collects samples of the ghee, and only products that pass certification are used. The TDP is politicising religious matters. In our regime, we have rejected products 18 times,’ Reddy said.

Reddy also mentioned 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.

TDP MP Sribharat Mathukumilli said that lab reports indicated the ghee used in making Tirupati Laddus contained a mix of vegetable oils and animal fats, including beef and pig fat. ‘This has shaken devotees and all followers of Hinduism across the country. It is unfortunate that such kind of governance was plaguing not just the state but also the holy site of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam,’ Mathukumilli said.

Amul issued a clarification, stating that it had never supplied ghee to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD). ‘We wish to inform that we have never supplied Amul Ghee to TTD,’ the statement read.

Union Health Minister Nadda said he had spoken to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and sought a report on the Tirupati laddu issue. He added that the matter would be examined by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and suitable action taken.

Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh shared a video clip in which Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was seen saying that previously animal fat was used in consecrated sweets instead of ghee at Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati.

Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Tirumala hills at Tirupati in the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh.