A four-hour purification ritual was conducted at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) shrine following allegations that animal fats were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus. TTD Executive Officer J. Shyamala Rao assured devotees of the prasadam’s sanctity after the ceremony. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a show-cause notice to A R Dairy Food Private Ltd for allegedly supplying substandard ghee. The controversy has sparked political reactions, with calls for investigations from various leaders. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to address the allegations.
In a significant development concerning the revered Tirupati laddus, a four-hour purification ritual was conducted at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) shrine to appease Lord Venkateswara Swamy. This ritual followed serious allegations that animal fats had been used in the preparation of these sacred prasadam, which is offered to devotees.
Assurance from TTD Authorities
TTD Executive Officer J. Shyamala Rao reassured devotees that the sanctity of the prasadam had been fully restored after the purification ceremony. He emphasized that the temple authorities are committed to upholding the highest standards of religious and ritual purity, addressing the concerns raised by devotees regarding the laddus.
Show-Cause Notice to Dairy Supplier
Amidst the controversy, India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) issued a show-cause notice to A R Dairy Food Private Ltd, a Tamil Nadu-based supplier of ghee to the TTD. The notice was prompted by allegations of substandard ghee being supplied, which raised concerns over the potential use of animal fats in the preparation of the laddus.
The FSSAI’s swift action includes questioning A R Dairy’s compliance with the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011. If violations are confirmed, the FSSAI is contemplating suspending the firm’s central license. Reports from the Director of the Institute of Preventive Medicine in Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh, revealed that A R Dairy had been supplying ghee to the TTD for the past four years.
Political and Religious Reactions
The controversy has attracted significant attention from political and religious figures. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy has called for a court-monitored investigation, demanding transparency and accountability in the inquiry. In response, former TTD chairman and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MP Y.V. Subba Reddy has requested an independent investigation led by a retired Supreme Court judge, denying the claims of adulteration.
Additionally, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), a notable Hindu organization, has urged the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the situation, seeking intervention to ensure the sacred prasadam remains free from adulteration.
Government Action
Reacting to the escalating public outcry, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations. Naidu previously suggested that the use of substandard ingredients and animal fats in the laddus had occurred during the prior YSRCP government’s tenure, adding a political dimension to the case.
YSR Congress Party chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has strongly refuted these allegations, labeling them as baseless and politically motivated.
The Path Forward
As the investigation unfolds, devotees of Lord Venkateswara and religious leaders are awaiting a resolution to this controversy. The TTD’s dedication to preserving the sanctity of the temple’s offerings is under intense scrutiny, with both state and central authorities being called upon to ensure a transparent and just handling of the situation.
With the FSSAI’s inquiry into A R Dairy and mounting political and legal pressure, the matter continues to capture national attention, as it intertwines religious sentiment with food safety concerns at one of India’s most esteemed pilgrimage sites.
Also Read –Religious Concerns Rise in India as Tirupati Laddoo Ghee Faces Adulteration Scandal
