Tirupati laddu row: Andhra govt appoints SIT to probe ghee adulteration allegations
Naidu alleged that several procedures to procure ghee at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) were altered during the YSRCP regime
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday (September 22) said an SIT (Special Investigation Team) would be formed to investigate the allegations that animal fat was used to make Tirumala Tirupati laddus.
Naidu alleged that several procedures to procure ghee at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) were altered during the YSRCP regime.
He also alleged that appointments to the TTD board became like "gambling" during the previous government and there were instances of appointing people who had no faith and giving preferences to non-Hindus on the board.
Addressing a press conference at his Undavalli residence, the chief minister said crores of Hindus' sentiments were hurt after the revelations with regard to laddus that animal fats were allegedly used to make them and added that they are enraged.
"An IG level or above officer manned SIT will be formed. It will probe all the reasons, misuse of power and give a report to the government. The government will take stringent action to avoid recurrences (laddu adulteration), there is no compromise," said Naidu.
The CM said nobody has the right to play with people's sentiments.
Further, Naidu noted that a Santhi Homam Panchagavya Prokshana (ritualistic sanitisation) will be held on Monday at Tirumala to undo the alleged desecrations.
"From 6 am to 10 am on Monday, Santhi Homam Panchagavya Prokshana will be done at the Bangaru Bavi (golden well) Yagashala (ritual place) in Srivari (Sri Venkateswara) temple," he said.
Naidu said, as per the earlier conditions, the ghee supplier should have at least three years of experience. However, after Jagan Mohan Reddy came to power, it was reduced to one year.
The CM also said that the required turnover of the supplier was also reduced to Rs 150 crore from the earlier Rs 250 crore, among other relaxations.
Naidu asked how one can supply pure ghee at Rs 319 per kg when even palm oil is costlier than that.
He said AR Dairy Foods Pvt Ltd started supplying ghee from June 12, 2024.
Referring to the letter written by Jagan to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said the YSRCP chief was trying to counterattack by shooting off letters.
Lambasting several points mentioned by Reddy in his letter to Modi, Naidu said the YSRCP chief was irresponsibly justifying his government’s actions between 2019 and 2024, which led to the alleged sacrilegious deeds at the world-renowned temple.
There is a special place for Venkateswara Swamy's Prasadam, because of its pure ingredients, and uncompromising quality of making for the past 300 years.
(With agency inputs)
