Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has stirred controversy by accusing the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government, led by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, of using animal fat instead of ghee in the preparation of the iconic Tirupati laddu prasadam at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala. The laddu is distributed to millions of devotees visiting the sacred shrine.
Speaking at an NDA legislature party meeting in Amaravati, Naidu claimed that the YSRCP government had compromised the quality of the prasadam during its tenure, using substandard ingredients, including animal fat. “Even Tirumala laddu was made with substandard ingredients… they used animal fat instead of ghee,” Naidu alleged, adding that the current administration has since restored purity by using only ghee in the preparation process.
The remarks quickly went viral on social media, with Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh amplifying the accusation on X (formerly Twitter). He condemned the YSRCP government for disrespecting the religious sentiments of millions of Hindu devotees. “The Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Tirumala is our most sacred temple. I am shocked to learn that the Jagan administration used animal fat instead of ghee in the Tirupati prasadam. Shame on Jagan and the YSRCP government,” Lokesh posted.
The allegations have triggered a heated political debate. Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y.S. Sharmila challenged Naidu to back his claims by forming a high-level investigative committee or involving the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to uncover the truth. “If there is no political dimension in your allegations… investigate with CBI. Find out who committed this grievous wrongdoing,” Sharmila wrote in a post on X.
Rajya Sabha MP and YSRCP leader Y.V. Subba Reddy, who previously chaired the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board, dismissed Naidu’s allegations as politically motivated and harmful to the sanctity of the temple. He accused Naidu of damaging the faith of millions of devotees for political gain. “No one born of human birth speaks such words or makes such accusations. It has been proved once again that he will not hesitate to go down to any level for politics,” Reddy said.
Swami Chakrapani Maharaj, chief of the Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha, also weighed in on the controversy, calling for a thorough investigation into Naidu’s claims. He demanded accountability, stating, “If the allegations turn out to be true, Jagan Mohan Reddy should be arrested.”
This is not the first time concerns have been raised about the quality of the Tirupati laddu. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has previously criticized alleged compromises in the preparation of the prasadam. In response, the TTD has now set up a sensory perception laboratory to monitor the quality of ingredients, with staff undergoing specialized training in Mysuru to ensure the laddu meets the highest standards.
