Tirupati Laddus Controversy: Allegations of ‘Beef Tallow’ in Sacred Offering

A political storm has erupted in Andhra Pradesh after Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) alleged that “animal fat” was used in the preparation of the iconic laddus offered at the Tirupati temple. This has sparked widespread concern among devotees and the general public alike.

Claims by TDP

Chandrababu Naidu, the leader of TDP, alleged that during the previous government under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), animal fat was used instead of ghee in the making of the laddus at Tirumala. The controversy revolves around claims that “beef tallow,” “lard” (pig fat), and even fish oil were present in the ghee samples used at the temple.

TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy presented what he called a lab report as evidence. According to Reddy, the report confirmed the presence of “beef tallow” and other animal fats in the ghee used in the temple’s sacred offerings. He further claimed that the “S value,” a standard measure in fats and oils testing, was as low as 19.7, supposedly indicating the use of substandard or adulterated ghee.

However, these allegations have not been confirmed by either the Andhra Pradesh government or the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the official body that manages the temple.

YSRCP’s Response

In response to these accusations, the ruling YSRCP has strongly denied the claims. Senior YSRCP leader and Rajya Sabha member YV Subba Reddy, who served as the chairman of TTD for four years, criticized Naidu for what he described as “heinous allegations” made for political mileage.

Reddy asserted that the idea of using animal fat in food offered to Lord Venkateswara is unthinkable and that such claims only hurt the religious sentiments of millions of devotees. He emphasized that as a devout Hindu, he personally finds these accusations offensive and challenged Chandrababu Naidu to swear before the deity in Tirupati to prove whether his claims are true or false.

What is Beef Tallow?

At the center of the controversy is the term “beef tallow,” which refers to rendered fat from beef cuts like rump roast, ribs, or steaks. Tallow is commonly made by heating and melting fat skimmed from meat. Once the liquid fat cools, it hardens into a butter-like consistency. It is typically used in cooking, but its presence in a sacred offering like the Tirupati laddus has deeply offended devotees.

Final Thoughts

While the allegations remain unproven, the debate has caused unrest among the faithful who regard the laddus as a sacred offering. Whether this row will be resolved through further investigations or political discourse remains to be seen, but it has certainly left a lasting impact on the religious sentiments of those involved.

Also Read – Tirupati Laddu Controversy: TTD Confirms ‘Animal Fat’ in Sacred Prasadam, Political War Erupts

Also Read – Tirupati Laddus Distributed at Ayodhya Temple Amid Controversy Over Alleged Use of Animal Fat

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