Animal Fat In Tirupati Laddu Prasadam? Karnataka Milk Federation Clarifies After Andhra CM's Allegations

Amid ongoing controversy over the use of animal fat in Tirupati laddu, the Karnataka Milk Federation on Thursday said that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board has not purchased ghee from them in the last four years.

However, the board clarified that it has supplied Nandhini Ghee since the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by Chandrababu Naidu took over the government in Andhra Pradesh.

Does TDP Have Proof?

TDP national spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy stated that test reports, which have come out, clearly indicate that adulterated oil containing beef fat has been used in the ghee.

He further alleged that other substances, such as fish oil and fat from dead animals, including dogs, were present in the ghee. He also claimed that ladoos adulterated with beef tallow were served to the deity.

Reddy further alleged that this adulterated animal fat was also used in the food served to Lord Venkateswara

Reddy, in a post on X, announced that the TDP will present evidence supporting these allegations in a live session at 4 PM.

“Supply of ghee to TTD tirumala devasthanam mixed with animal fat and fish oil going live at 4pm with proofs,” his post read.

What Is The Controversy?

A massive controversy erupted in Andhra Pradesh after Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday alleged that the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP government used animal fat and substandard ingredients to prepare the Tirupati laddu prasadam at Tirumala. However, the YSRCP has rejected the claims and said Naidu was making wild statements for political reasons.

Speaking at the NDA legislature party meeting in Amravati, Naidu said, “Even Tirumala laddoo was made with substandard ingredients…they used animal fat instead of ghee.”

Naidu further clarified that pure ghee was now being used and everything had been sanitised at the temple, providing improved quality of prasadam to the devotees.

TDP Attacks, YSRCP Hits Back

Following Chandrababu Naidu allegations, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh also targeted the Jagan Mohan Reddy administration over the issue and said the YSRCP government could not respect the religious sentiments of devotees.

“The Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala is our most sacred temple. I am shocked to learn that the Jagan administration used animal fat instead of ghee in the Tirupati prasadam. Shame on Jagan and the YSRCP government that couldn’t respect the religious sentiments of crores of devotees,” Nara Lokesh said.

Rejecting the allegations, Rajya Sabha MP and former chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) YV Subba Reddy said Naidu can “go down to any level for the benefit of politics”. Further challenging the Andhra Chief Minister over his claims, Reddy said, “We will file a defamation case against Naidu if he fails to show proof of animal fats in Ladoos.”