Tirumala laddu adulteration a grave offence, says A.P. CM

(will update for print edition)

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has described the reported adulteration of the Tirumala laddu prasadam as a grave offence against devotees’ faith and asserted that no report has given a clean chit to the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in the matter. He announced the constitution of a one-man committee to examine the findings of investigative agencies, fix accountability, and recommend further action.

Addressing a press conference after a meeting of NDA leaders at the Chief Minister’s Camp Office on Thursday (February 05), Mr. Naidu said the issue was directly linked to public sentiment and religious faith. “Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy is the family deity of my household,” he said, alleging that the sanctity of the prasadam was compromised during the previous YSRCP regime.

Recalling his long association with Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the Chief Minister said the Pranadanam programme was launched during his earlier tenure in 2003. He also referred to surviving a claymore mine attack, attributing it to the grace of Lord Venkateswara. “That was a rebirth granted to me by the Lord,” he said.

Mr. Naidu alleged that despite warnings issued by the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in 2022 regarding adulteration, the report was suppressed and no corrective action was taken at the time. After assuming office, his government, as part of a broader clean-up, collected laddu samples and sent them to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) for testing.

Referring to SIT findings and laboratory reports, the Chief Minister claimed that ghee used in laddu preparation contained chemicals, palm oil, and other adulterants. He termed the act an unforgivable sin and said lakhs of devotees may have consumed adulterated laddus over the past five years, causing mental distress among worshippers.

Rejecting claims that any agency had cleared the previous government, Mr. Naidu clarified that the CBI report did not certify that no adulteration had occurred. He alleged that false narratives were being spread to divert attention and warned that intimidation or counterattacks would not deter the government from ensuring strict punishment for those responsible.

Mr. Naidu said the CBI, in its communication, had advised the government to initiate administrative action. Based on this, the State has constituted a one-man committee to comprehensively examine the report, identify lapses, fix responsibility, and recommend follow-up action.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said the government was speaking with responsibility and caution on a matter involving faith. “No report has given a clean chit so far. Allegations involving animal fat are extremely sensitive and cannot be spoken about lightly,” he said, adding that the government acted only after examining evidence, including the NDDB CALF test report. He accused the Opposition of spreading misinformation instead of apologising, if mistakes were committed.

BJP State president P.V.N. Madhav also criticised the YSRCP, stating that the issue reflected “adulterated thinking and corrupt governance” of the previous regime. He said the present government was committed to restoring transparency and sanctity in temple administration.

NDA leaders reiterated that protecting the sanctity of Lord Venkateswara and Tirumala was a collective responsibility and maintained that there was no clean chit for YSRCP in the Tirumala laddu adulteration case.