Beef Tallow in Tirupati Temple Laddus: Political Controversy Erupts Over Allegations

A heated controversy has gripped Andhra Pradesh after claims surfaced regarding the Tirupati temple laddus containing beef tallow. The opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) released what they claim to be a lab report from a Gujarat-based livestock testing facility, supposedly confirming the use of animal fat in the sacred laddus during the tenure of the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government, led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. This claim has ignited a fierce political storm, with accusations flying between the TDP and YSRCP.

TDP’s Claims: Beef Tallow in Sacred Laddus

We are all deeply disturbed with the findings of animal fat (fish oil,pork fat and beef fat )mixed in Tirupathi Balaji Prasad. Many questions to be answered by the TTD board constituted by YCP Govt then. Our Govt is committed to take stringent action possible.
But,this throws… https://t.co/SA4DCPZDHy

— Pawan Kalyan (@PawanKalyan) September 20, 2024

On Wednesday, N Chandrababu Naidu, leader of the TDP, stirred a major controversy by alleging that “animal fat” had been used instead of ghee in the sacred laddus offered at the revered Tirupati shrine. The TDP circulated a lab report to support their claims, which they say came from a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory. The report, according to TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy, allegedly confirmed that traces of “lard” (pig fat) and fish oil were found in the ghee samples provided by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the body responsible for managing the temple.

YSRCP’s Response: Accusations of Political Gain

In response, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) swiftly condemned these allegations, accusing Chandrababu Naidu of making “heinous” accusations purely for political gain. Senior YSRCP leader and former chairman of TTD, YV Subba Reddy, expressed outrage at the claims, calling them an insult to the deity and the devotees. Reddy stated, “It is beyond belief to suggest that animal fat was ever used in the sacred food offered to the deity. Such allegations are the most egregious attempts to tarnish the temple’s sanctity.”

Details of the Lab Report

The lab report, dated July 16, 2024, allegedly detected traces of lard and fish oil in the samples, with the sample being received on July 9, 2024. The laboratory in question, CALF (Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock & Food), is a multidisciplinary facility under the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) based in Anand, Gujarat. However, according to PTI, no official confirmation has been provided by the Andhra Pradesh government or the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

Nara Lokesh and BJP Demand Legal Action

Reacting to the controversy, Andhra Pradesh IT minister Nara Lokesh stressed that lab reports definitively confirmed the presence of beef fat, fish oil, and lard in the laddus. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), an ally of the TDP, also entered the fray, calling for legal action. BJP OBC Morcha president K Laxman said that the Hindu community’s feelings had been deeply hurt by these revelations. BJP MLA Raja Singh went further, describing the alleged use of “beef fat and fish oil” in the prasadam as a severe violation of India’s cultural and religious traditions, and insisted that such acts should not be tolerated.

Naidu’s Allegations of Desecration

On Thursday, Chandrababu Naidu continued his accusations, alleging that the previous YSRCP government had desecrated the Tirumala temple by allowing the use of substandard ingredients in the preparation of the sacred laddus. He reassured devotees that the process of restoring the temple’s sanctity had already begun under the current administration.

Tirupati temple laddus

The Tirupati temple laddus controversy has sparked widespread debate and deepened political divisions in Andhra Pradesh. With no official confirmation yet from the Andhra Pradesh government or TTD, the accusations continue to fuel tensions, leaving many awaiting clarity on the issue. As the TDP and YSRCP trade accusations, the sanctity of one of India’s most revered religious sites hangs in the balance.