Health Ministry Seeks Detailed Report on Alleged Animal Fat in Tirupati Laddoos

Union Health Minister JP Nadda has requested Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to submit a “detailed report” regarding allegations of animal fat in ghee used for making laddoos offered as ‘prasadam’ at the Tirupati temple.

The prasadam is distributed to millions of devotees each year. Food Minister Pralhad Joshi has also called for a thorough investigation, stating that “a detailed enquiry is required, and the culprits should be punished.”

The controversy stems from a July report by a Gujarat-based government lab, which found traces of beef tallow, fish oil and pig fat in ghee samples. This incident reportedly occurred when YSR Congress Party leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was in power.

Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and his ally, Jana Sena Party leader Pawan Kalyan, have criticised Jagan Reddy, accusing him of desecrating the Tirupati temple and disrespecting ‘sanatan dharma’.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which aligns with the TDP and Jana Sena at the Centre, has expressed outrage, with Union Minister Sanjay Bandi labelling it an “unforgivable sin”. He also suggested a communal angle, claiming individuals from other religions on the temple board might be responsible for the adulteration.

Bhanu Prakash Reddy, a BJP MP and former member of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) board, has called for a police case against the former Chief Minister.

In response, the YSR Congress has vehemently denied the accusations. YV Subba Reddy, former Chairperson of the TTD, dismissed the allegations as “unimaginable” and accused Naidu of damaging the temple’s sanctity. Another YSRCP leader, Karunakar Reddy, described the TDP’s claims as politically motivated.

The Congress, which faced a major defeat in the recent state elections, has been largely silent. However, its state chief, YS Sharmila, has urged for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry to uncover the truth, stating that a high-level committee should be formed if the allegations are not politically driven.