Tirupati Laddu dispute: Andhra Sadhu Parishad demands strict action; says ‘Jagan has destroyed the sanctity of the temple’

NEW DELHI: The Sadhu Parishad of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh held a protest rally in front of the administrative building of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam and demanded action against those responsible for the alleged adulteration of ghee used in the ‘Laddoo Prasadam’ at the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirupati.
Protesters outside the building held placards reading “Save Tirumala” and “Save TTD”.
Swami Srinivasananda Saraswati, president of the Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad, accused YSRCP president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy of damaging the sanctity of the temple during his tenure.
He said: “In five years, Jagan Mohan Reddy destroyed the sanctity of Tirumala Temple. He took a lot of money from the offerings of Hindu devotees in the temples.”
Shankaracharya of the Dwarka Sharada Peetham Math, Swami Sadanand Saraswati, also criticised the alleged adulteration and said, “This is a big conspiracy. Is it so difficult for a temple that receives millions in donations to buy pure ghee?”
This protest followed comments by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who claimed that the ghee used previously contained animal fat. The state government has now formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the allegations. Naidu said the SIT will ensure proper investigation and adherence to tradition.
Jagan Mohan Reddy denied the allegations and accused the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of politicising religious issues. “In our regime, we have rejected products 18 times,” Reddy said. He also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that there were political motives behind Naidu’s allegations.
The aim of the investigation is to prevent future incidents and preserve the sanctity of the temple.