The allegation made by Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu regarding the adulteration of Tirumala prasadam with ghee made from animal fat during the previous YSRCP regime has not only caused a sensation but also sparked sharp criticism from various quarters.
Typically, Naidu doesn’t make such serious comments lightly. Especially concerning sensitive issues that could hurt the religious sentiments of millions of devotees, one must be extremely cautious before making such accusations.
However, Naidu raised this topic during the NDA partners' meeting at Mangalagiri, seemingly fully aware of the potential repercussions.
While he didn’t explicitly claim that the Tirumala laddu was adulterated with ghee made from animal fat, he did state that the laddu was made with substandard ingredients.
He referred to the alleged adulteration of prasadam offered to Lord Venkateshwara, claiming that ghee made from animal fat had been used, thus damaging its sanctity.
"Now, we have started procuring pure ghee," he asserted.
Naturally, his comments provoked a strong reaction from YSR Congress Party leaders. Former TTD chairman Y V Subba Reddy tweeted that Naidu had severely harmed the sanctity of Tirumala and the faith of millions of Hindus.
"His comments about the Tirumala prasadam are extremely malicious. No one would make such statements or accusations. It has been proven once again that Chandrababu will stoop to any level for political gain," Subba Reddy said.
While Subba Reddy offered to take an oath before the almighty to prove that there was no adulteration of ghee, Jagan's sister and AP Congress president Y S Sharmila demanded a CBI inquiry into Naidu’s allegations.
"Such claims hurt the sentiments of millions of devotees," she said.
YSRCP leaders also cited a statement made by TTD executive officer J. Shyamala Rao in July, in which he referred to the supply of low-quality ghee by one of the suppliers.
According to the statement, during verification of ghee samples by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), it was found that ghee supplied by one of the five vendors was adulterated. However, the statement did not specify how the adulteration had occurred.
The contents of the NABL report remain undisclosed.
"Perhaps the report was kept confidential, and Naidu might have referred to it in his comments on Wednesday," sources suggested.
Meanwhile, YSRCP is preparing for a major protest against Naidu’s remarks. Subba Reddy met with YSRCP president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday, and if the situation escalates, Naidu may face pressure to reveal the NABL report.