Congress leader Rashid Alvi rebukes Andhra Government and BJP over Tirupati Prasadam row

Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 20 (ANI): Congress leader Rashid Alvi on Friday launched a scathing attack on both the Andhra Pradesh government and the BJP over allegations that beef fat was used to make laddus at the Tirupati temple.

He said, “Today, the Andhra Pradesh government and BJP are together. BJP does not have any interest in beef or Dharma. BJP plays with the feelings of the people.”

“If beef grease is used at such a pious place to make laddus, I would say that PM Modi and the CM should resign. This is about the faith of crores of people”, Alvi added.

Alvi also highlighted the ongoing tensions. He said, “Whichever government it is, it has been in collusion with the Bharatiya Janata Party.” He claimed that the BJP is ‘playing with the sentiments of the people of the country’ and further insisted that if beef fat is indeed being mixed into laddus, “the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister do not get any right to be in the government.”

“India is one of the countries that exports the most beef in the world… the amount of beef export happening under BJP, it has never happened before”, said the congress leader.

Earlier, BJP leader Bhanuprakash Reddy condemned the alleged use of animal fat in the ‘Tirupati Prasadam’ sweets. Reddy also said that they plan to file a complaint against the previous YSRCP government led by former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. He claimed, “During the tenure of Jagan Mohan Reddy, from 2019 to 2024, TTD used pure cow ghee to prepare laddu,” adding that the laddu was later adulterated. “We got a report that vegetable oil and animal fat were mixed in it,” he said.

Reddy added, “It is a very bad thing that happened in the history of Tirumala… Jagan Mohan Reddy’s government wantedly damaged the sentiment of Hindu pilgrims, especially Balaji’s devotees.” He announced that they are filing a complaint against several officials, including TTD Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu made a serious allegation, claiming that the previous YSR Congress government used animal fat instead of ghee in the Tirupati Prasadam. In a post on X, Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh shared a video clip of Naidu, who said, “I am shocked to learn that the ys jagan administration used animal fat instead of ghee in the Tirupati Prasadam.”

YSRCP Leader and former TTD Chairman YV Subbareddy however denies the charge claiming that only organic materials had been used to prepare the Prasadam.

“All the ingredients used for Swami’s offerings from last three 3 years are all organic ingredients including ghee. This is a very vile allegation that our government and our party, which have done so many programs while protecting the sanctity of Swami, are doing so many programs to mislead the people,” he said.

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The Tirupati temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, is a very important place of worship, known for its importance among Hindu pilgrims.