Tirumala laddoo row, Deputy CM goes on penance initiation, actor Prakash Raj reacts

Tirumala laddoo row, Deputy CM goes on penance initiation, actor Prakash Raj reacts

durgesh dubey
22 Sep, 2024

Tirumala

In a subtle criticism of former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, Andhra Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan expressed that individuals involved in such "crimes" lack both "faith in God and fear" of their actions. He announced plans to seek atonement for failing to identify animal fat in the laddu prasadam offered at the Tirumala Tirupati temple. In a post on social media platform X, Kalyan conveyed his shock upon discovering the alleged presence of animal fat, labeling it as "a stain on the Hindu race."

Kalyan stated that the revered Tirumala Laddu Prasadam has been tainted by the immoral practices of previous rulers, and he feels guilty for not recognizing this issue sooner. He emphasized that as someone committed to the welfare of the people, it pains him that such a serious matter escaped his notice initially. He called upon all who adhere to Sanatana Dharma to atone for this "terrible injustice" against the deity of Kali Yuga. To this end, he plans to initiate a penance ceremony on September 22, 2024, at Sri Dashavatara Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Nambur, Guntur District. Following this initiation, he will visit Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy after an 11-day period of penance.

Referring specifically to the alleged use of adulterated ghee during Jagan Mohan Reddy's administration, Kalyan asserted that those who partake in such offenses exhibit "no faith in God." He suggested that even temple officials may have been hesitant to address these issues due to fear of the "demonic rulers" from that era. Kalyan condemned past rulers for their actions that undermined the sanctity and religious duties associated with Tirumala, which is revered as Vaikuntha Dham. He noted that the revelation of animal fat in laddu prasad has caused significant outrage and called for measures to restore Dharma.

Additionally, Kalyan proposed establishing a 'Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board' at a national level to address various concerns related to Hindu temples. He pledged to advocate for strict actions against those responsible and emphasized the need for discussions among policymakers, citizens, and the judiciary regarding religious desecration.

The controversy surrounding the ghee used in making laddus at Tirupati Temple escalated into a public dispute between Kalyan and actor Prakash Raj. Kalyan raised alarms about alleged adulteration in the sacred laddus, claiming they contained various animal fats. He questioned the accountability of the previous Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board under the YSR Congress Party government and called for a national dialogue on this matter. In response, Prakash Raj criticized Kalyan for transforming a local issue into a national controversy and urged him to investigate and take action within his capacity as Deputy Chief Minister.

The situation intensified when TTD confirmed laboratory findings indicating animal fat in the laddus, including lard (pig fat). The supplier responsible for this adulterated ghee has been blacklisted, and legal proceedings are underway.