Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) [India]: Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad staged a protest outside Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams administrative building on Tuesday demanding strict action against those responsible for the alleged use of adulterated ghee in ‘laddoo prasadam’ offered in Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirupati.
The seers were seen standing outside the building holding posters that read “Save Tirumala” and “Save TTD,” among others.
Swami Srinivasananda Saraswati, President of Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad, accused YSRCP President and former Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy of “ruining the sanctity” of Tirumala temple during his tenure.
“We are very disturbed. YSRCP President Jagan Mohan Reddy belongs to the Christian community and he never gave importance to Lord Venkateswara. He never believed in Hinduism. He always employed Christians in the post of chairman and other posts. These employees always saw Lord Venkateswara with a business purpose,” Swami Srinivasananda Saraswati said.
“In five years, Jagan Mohan Reddy ruined the sanctity of Tirumala temple. He has taken a lot of money from the offerings given by Hindu devotees in the temples. We demand the government take strict action against those involved,” the seer added.
Earlier, responding to the controversy, Shankaracharya of Dwarka Sharada Peetham Math, Swami Sadanand Saraswati, said that Hindu sentiments have been violated and there should be no governmental interference in temples.
“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,” Swami Sadanand Saraswati said.
“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,” he added.
This comes after 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 during the previous YSRCP government, contained animal fat.
Following the claims, the state government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged adulteration in the prasadam.
“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. 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,” Naidu said earlier.
However, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy dismissed allegations saying that the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is “politicising religious matters.”
“The tender process occurs every six months, and 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 wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on prasadam row alleging that attempts are being made by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to “irreparably tarnish the sanctity, integrity, and reputation” of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
“Chandrababu Naidu, a pathological and habitual liar, has stooped so low as to seriously hurt the beliefs of crores of people purely for political objectives. His actions have indeed lowered not only the stature of a Chief Minister but also that of everyone in public life and also the sanctity of the world renowned TTD and its practices,” the letter mentioned.