Andhra CM alleges chemicals, animal fat used in Tirumala laddu ghee

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Friday strongly criticised the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government, alleging that it had gravely undermined the sanctity of Tirumala and the uniqueness of the Laddu prasadam offered to Lord Venkateswara.

Addressing a grama sabha at Kalugotla village in Kurnool district and later speaking at a pattadar passbook distribution programme in Yemmiganur , Naidu alleged that during the last five years, the ghee used in the preparation of Tirumala laddus was adulterated with animal fat and chemicals used for cleaning washrooms . He further claimed that adulterated ghee was supplied not only to Tirumala but also to the renowned Srisailam temple .

“Lord Venkateswara is the deity revered by crores of devotees. Defiling the prasadam offered to such a god is the gravest sin against divinity,” the Chief Minister said. He reiterated that a report by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) had clearly established the presence of animal fat in the ghee.

Naidu alleged that since plant-based ingredients are expensive, cheaper animal fat and hazardous chemicals were mixed into the ghee, amounting to a betrayal of devotees’ faith. He said a comprehensive cleansing exercise had now been undertaken in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and that there was a visible improvement in the quality of laddus compared to the past.

The Chief Minister dismissed claims by YSRCP leaders that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had given a clean chit in the case, asserting that no one involved would be spared. He announced that a single-member committee would be constituted to suggest further corrective measures after the SIT submits its report. He also alleged that although a Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) report in 2022 had detected ghee adulteration, the then government allowed the malpractice to continue instead of stopping it, and warned that strict action would be taken against those who compromised devotees’ faith.

Meanwhile, YSRCP leader Y.V. Subba Reddy rejected the allegations, stating that the 2022 report only pointed out quality issues in the ghee and made no mention of animal fat. He denied claims that he had suppressed the report, asserting that he himself had sent samples for testing, and accused the government of indulging in false propaganda and maligning his party even before the SIT probe had reached any conclusion.