Naidu Accuses Previous Government of Adulterating Sacred Tirupati Laddus
In a dramatic development in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched a scathing attack on the previous YSRCP government led by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. Naidu alleged that nearly 60 lakh kilograms of adulterated ghee was systematically used between 2019 and 2024 to prepare more than 20 crore consecrated Tirupati laddus, calling it an act of organized sacrilege.
Special Assembly Discussion Reveals Shocking Details
Naidu made these explosive remarks during a special discussion in the state Assembly focused on the alleged adulteration of ghee used in preparing the sacred laddu prasadam of Lord Venkateswara Swamy at Tirumala. The discussion was initiated by Endowments Minister A Ramnarayan Reddy, who expressed deep concern over the controversy surrounding the temple offering.
"It is profoundly sad that we have reached a situation where we must explain the purity of sacred temple prasadam," Minister Reddy told the Assembly. He emphasized that the alleged adulteration had caused significant distress among millions of devotees who consider the Tirupati laddu a divine offering.
Forensic Evidence Points to Organized Conspiracy
Chief Minister Naidu presented what he described as compelling evidence during the heated debate. "There was a clear conspiracy angle in the adulterated ghee supply issue," Naidu asserted. "The perpetrators formed a syndicate, and all these facts are substantiated by forensic evidence."
The Chief Minister provided specific figures that painted a disturbing picture:
- 59.71 lakh kilograms of ghee supplied to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) was adulterated
- Over 20 crore laddus were prepared using this compromised ghee between 2019-2024
- The TTD spent approximately Rs 234.51 crore to procure the questionable ghee
"They committed sacrilege by adulterating the sacred laddu through organized crime," Naidu alleged, directly blaming the previous YSRCP administration.
Broader Pattern of Temple Issues During YSRCP Tenure
Naidu further expanded his criticism by claiming that several attacks on temples occurred during Reddy's tenure between 2019 and 2024. The Chief Minister stated that his allegations regarding the adulterated ghee were based on findings from an earlier National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) report, lending official credibility to his claims.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, which manages the world-renowned hill shrine visited by millions of devotees annually, finds itself at the center of this controversy. The TTD's reputation for maintaining strict purity standards in temple offerings has been called into question by these allegations.
Political Fallout and Expected Responses
The issue has ignited sharp political exchanges across Andhra Pradesh, with the ruling government making serious allegations of wrongdoing during the previous administration. The opposition YSRCP is expected to mount a vigorous defense against these charges, setting the stage for continued political confrontation.
This controversy touches not just political nerves but religious sentiments across South India and beyond, given the Tirupati temple's status as one of Hinduism's most visited pilgrimage sites. The purity of temple offerings represents a fundamental aspect of religious practice for devotees, making these allegations particularly sensitive.
As the investigation continues and political battles intensify, millions of devotees await clarity and assurance about the sanctity of offerings at one of India's most revered temples.
