YSRCP Moves HC Over Tirupati Laddu Charges, Pawan Kalyan Calls For Setting Up 'Sanatan Rakshana Board'

The YSRCP on Friday moved to the Andhra Pradesh High Court seeking a court-monitored investigation into the claims made by the ruling Telegu Desam Party (TDP) that animal fat was mixed in the Tirupati Laddu prasadam.

The lawyer representing the YSRCP requested that either a sitting judge or a committee appointed by the High Court investigate the claims made by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. The bench suggested that a PIL be filed by Wednesday, September 25 stating that the arguments would be heard on that day.

Congress added fuel to the fire by saying that if the claims stand to be wrong or motivated then millions of Hindu devotees will not forgive those playing with their faith. He added that if the claims of sacrileges are right, then it must be investigated.

Taking to X, the Congress’ media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said, “If the claims of desecration of the Tirupati Laddus are right, of course, a full-fledged enquiry must identify the guilty and strictest possible punishment must be meted out BUT, if the claims are wrong or motivated then, millions of devotees of Tirupati will not forgive those playing with their faith.”

“Until then, it suits the BJP to allow polarising conspiracy theories to fly thick in the air in election season,” he said.

Pawan Kalyan Calls For ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan called for setting up a ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’ amid the controversy around the Tirupati laddoos. He assured that the Andhra government will take action against those involved in the incident.

“We are all deeply disturbed by 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,” the Jana Sena Party chief said in a post on X.

Tirupati Laddu Row Explodes

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s claim that animal fat was used in Tirupati laddus during the previous government has triggered a massive political row, with the YSRCP accusing Naidu of indulging in “heinous allegations” for political gains and the TDP circulating a lab report to back its claim.

The ruling TDP, during a press briefing, claimed that a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory has confirmed adulteration in ghee samples provided by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the famous Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple.

Showing a purported lab report, TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy claimed the presence of ‘beef tallow, lard’ and fish oil in the ghee samples. The sample receipt date was July 9, 2024, and the lab report was dated July 16.