Tirupati Prasadam row: Union MoS Jitendra Singh demands action, calls it matter of “people’s faith”

Rajouri (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 21 (ANI): Reacting to the allegations of usage of animal fat in the making of the Tirupati prasadam, Union Minister of State, Jitendra Singh said on Friday that the state and the Centrsl governments have taken cognisance of the issue and promised action against those involved in the matter.

He also said that the matter is related to everyone’s faith and action is needed to restore that faith.

“The state government led by Chandrababu Naidu and the central government have both have taken cognisance of the matter. Those who are responsible, appropriate action will be taken against them. It is unimaginable; Tirupati is beyond any community; it’s about the faith of all. To establish that faith again, action will be taken for sure with proper evidence,” Jitendra Singh told ANI.

Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Tirumala hills at Tirupati in the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh.

This comes two days after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus, a sweet offered at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, during the previous Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government.

Reacting to the allegations, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged on Friday that the Telegu Desam Party (TDP) is “politicising religious matters.”

“The tender process occurs every six months, and the qualification criteria has not changed for decades. Suppliers must provide an NABL certificate and a product quality certificate. TTD collects samples from the ghee, and only products that pass certification are used. TDP is politicising religious matters. We have rejected the products in our regime 18 times,” the former CM said.

“The tender process occurs every six months, and the qualification criteria have not changed for decades. Suppliers must provide an NABL certificate and a product quality certificate. The TTD collects samples of the ghee, and only products that pass certification are used. The TDP is politicising religious matters. In our regime, we have rejected products 18 times,” Reddy said.

He said that he will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and claimed that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has twisted the facts.

The YSRCP also moved to the Andhra Pradesh High Court, demanding an investigation into the claims made by the ruling party.

The lawyers representing the YSRCP, requested the court that either a sitting judge or a committee should be appointed by the High Court to investigate the claims made by the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, reactions also came from across political circles. Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi termed it “disturbing” and said the authorities across India should protect the sanctity of our religious spaces.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan said that it is very essential for the integrity of our nation, which is being neglected.

“We have to maintain the sanctity of every place of worship, irrespective of it being a mosque, church or temple. We cannot desecrate it. So, when temples are being attacked, it is the fundamental responsibility of every political leader – irrespective of which faith he belongs, to raise their voice. This kind of consciousness has to be awakened. I think it is very essential for the integrity of our nation, which is being neglected. It’s high time, I think we should put an end to it. We will find a method to mitigate such situations,” Kalyan said.

“The reports about the defilement of the Prasad at Sri Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati are disturbing. Lord Balaji is a revered deity for millions of devotees in India and across the world. This issue will hurt every devotee and needs to be thoroughly looked into. Authorities across India have to protect the sanctity of our religious spaces,” Rahul Gandhi posted on X.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced that all prasada offered at major temples in the state will be tested.

“A circular will be issued today or tomorrow to all major temples in Karnataka mandating the use of only KMF’s Nandini ghee in prasada. We will also test the prasada given at these temples,” Redday said.

Earlier on Thursday, Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh shared a video clip in which Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was seen saying that previously animal fat was used in consecrated sweets–‘Tirupati Prasadam’ instead of ‘Ghee’ at Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati.

In a post on X, Andhra Minister Nara Lokesh said that he was shocked by the findings and added, “The Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Tirumala is our most sacred temple. I am shocked to learn that the YS Jagan administration used animal fat instead of ghee in the Tirupati Prasadam.”

“Shame on YS Jagan and the YSR party government that couldn’t respect the religious sentiments of crores of devotees,” he added.

The charges of CM Naidu have been denied by former TDP Chairman and YSRCP leader YV Subbareddy, who claimed that only organic ingredients were used in the preparation of Prasadam.

“All the ingredients used for Swami’s offerings from the last three 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.