Swami Sadanand Saraswati Speaks Out on Tirupati Laddu Controversy
Amid the Tirupati Laddu Prasadam controversy, Swami Sadanand Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Dwarka Sharada Peetham Math, stated that Hindu sentiments had been violated and there should be no governmental interference in temples.
Swami Sadanand Saraswati said, “The sentiments of Hindus have been played with. A great sin has been committed. This is why we demand no government interference in temples. Devotees visit with great reverence. Many Hindus do not even consume onions and garlic, yet in the name of Prasad, they were made to eat animal fat.”
He added, “This is a major conspiracy. Is it so difficult for a temple that receives crores in donations to buy pure ghee? Only Hindu religious places are under government control. There should be a proper investigation, and the real culprits must face severe punishment.”
Meanwhile, TDP spokesperson Kommareddy Pattabhi Ram commented, “I suggest Bhumana Karunakar Reddy and YV Subba Reddy, instead of engaging in this drama in front of the temple, to appear before the Vigilance Department and answer their questions. This drama is unnecessary. People around the world have understood how both of them looted TTD and committed the sin of adulterating Lord Balaji’s laddu prasad.”
Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations regarding the adulteration of Tirupati Prasadam (laddus). Naidu said, “We are forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising officers of IGP and above ranks. The SIT will submit a report to the government, and we will act on that report to ensure such incidents are not repeated.”
Naidu further remarked, “I am addressing three aspects: first, purification according to tradition; second, ordering an inquiry at the IGP level; and third, ensuring only believers are part of the management committee. Finally, we will establish standard operating procedures for all temples.”
On September 19, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu sparked a political controversy by claiming that the ghee used in the preparation of Tirupati laddu prasadam, offered at the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirupati, contained animal fat during the previous YSRCP government.
Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple located in the Tirumala hills of Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati district.
Doubts Revealed
Swami Sadanand Saraswati -: Swami Sadanand Saraswati is a respected Hindu religious leader from Dwarka Sharada Peetham Math, which is a famous religious institution in India.
Tirupati laddu -: Tirupati laddu is a special sweet given as prasadam (a religious offering) at the Tirupati temple, one of the most famous temples in India.
animal fat -: Animal fat is a substance obtained from animals. In this context, it is controversial because many Hindus avoid animal products in religious offerings.
Hindu sentiments -: Hindu sentiments refer to the feelings and beliefs of people who follow Hinduism, one of the major religions in India.
government interference -: Government interference means the involvement of government officials in the management or affairs of temples, which some people believe should be independent.
TDP -: TDP stands for Telugu Desam Party, a political party in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
Kommareddy Pattabhi Ram -: Kommareddy Pattabhi Ram is a spokesperson for the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
Andhra Pradesh -: Andhra Pradesh is a state in the southeastern part of India.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu -: N Chandrababu Naidu is a politician who was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh at the time of this controversy.
Special Investigation Team -: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is a group of experts formed to investigate serious issues or allegations thoroughly.
