“Unforgivable sin”: Union Minister Bandi Sanjay attacks YSRCP over Tirupati Laddu row

Ernakulam (Kerala) [India], September 20 (ANI): Calling the alleged use of animal fat in consecrated sweets–‘Tirupati Prasadam’ at Sri Venkateswara Temple, an ‘unforgivable sin’, Union Minister and BJP National General Secretary Bandi Sanjay lashed out at the previous YSRCP government, requesting the Andhra Pradesh government to carry out–a probe immediately and take strict action into the matter.

He further stated that during the previous YSRCP government, a few people from other religions and atheists were inducted in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams board.

“Tirumala laddu is considered a very ‘holy prasadam’, tainting that is an unforgivable sin. During the previous government’s tenure, few people from other religions were inducted in the TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) board. That’s why such an incident took place. I request the Andhra Pradesh government to carry out a probe immediately and strict action must be taken,” the BJP leader told ANI.

Earlier, BJP leader and former TTD Board Member, Bhanuprakash Reddy, condemned the alleged use of animal fat in consecrated sweets–‘Tirupati Prasadam’– and said that they would file a complaint against the previous YSRCP government that was led by former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Bhanuprakash said that during the tenure of Jagan Mohan Reddy, from 2019 to 2024, TTD used pure cow ghee to prepare laddu, which was adulterated later.

“After Balaji darshan, pilgrims used to have that laddu–the prasad of Balaji. During the tenure of Jagan Mohan Reddy, from 2019 to 2024, TTD used pure cow ghee to prepare laddu. For this, 14 tonnes of cow ghee was used daily for making laddu prasadam. Unfortunately, that was adulterated. We got a report that vegetable oil and animal fat were mixed in it,” the BJP leader told ANI.

“It is a very bad thing that happened in the history of Tirumala. We are very sad and we condemn the issue. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s government wantedly damaged the sentiment of Hindu pilgrims, especially Balaji’s devotees. We are filing a complaint against Jagan Mohan Reddy, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, Y.V. Subba Reddy and the then Executive Officer Dharma Reddy. Right now, we are using pure cow ghee for making laddu prasadam,” he added.

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu made a startling allegation on Wednesday and alleged that the previous YSR Congress-led by Jagan Mohan Reddy had used animal fat in consecrated sweets–‘Tirupati Prasadam’ instead of ‘Ghee’ at Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati.

In a post on X, Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh shared a video clip of his father, CM Naidu, addressing a gathering and wrote, “The Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Tirumala is our most sacred temple. I am shocked to learn that the ysjagan administration used animal fat instead of ghee in the Tirupati Prasadam.”

The Tirupati temple is devoted to Lord Venkateswara, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu who is believed to have come to earth to deliver humanity from the trials and tribulations of the Kali Yuga.

As a result, the location has been given the name Kaliyuga Vaikuntha, and the deity is known as Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam.