Tirupati laddu controversy: Pawan Kalyan wants Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board to protect sanctity of Hindu temples

Vijayawada: Voicing concern over the disturbing reports that fish oil pork fat and beef fat oil used in making the famous ‘Laddu Prasadam’ of hill shrine Tirumala Venkateswara, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan mooted setting up of ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’ at national level to protect the sanctity of Hindu temples.

In a statement here on Friday, Pawan Kalyan said: “We are all deeply disturbed with the findings of animal fat (fish oil, pork fat and beef fat) mixed in Tirupati Balaji Prasadam. Many questions to be answered by the TTD board, constituted during the erstwhile YSRCP Government. Our Government is committed to take stringent action possible. But, this throws light on many issues surrounding desecration of temples, its land issues and other ‘Dharmic’ practices.”

Pawan Kalyan, who is the Chief of Jana Sena party and Panchayat Raj Minister, said that it may be the time to constitute a ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’ at a National level to look into all the issues related to temples in the entire Bharath.

He also underlined the need of holding debates at the National level by all the policy makers, religious heads, judiciary, citizens, media and all others in their respective domains. ”I think we all should come together to put an end to desecration of ‘Sanathana Dharma’ in any form” Pawan Kalyan opined. He made the demand for ‘Sanathana Dharma Rakshana Board, in the wake of the allegations that animal-fat was used to make Tirumala Laddu Prasadam.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu made a sensational allegation that adulterated ghee, including addition of animal fat, was used to make the sacred “Laddu Prasad” of Tirumala Venkateswara temple.

Telugu Desam party Spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy told the media that the analysis from the National Dairy Development Board’s Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) revealed that the ghee was mixed with a variety of foreign fats, including Soybean, Sunflower, Olive Rapeseed, Linseed, Wheat Gram, Maize Gram, Cottonseed, Fish Oil, Beef Tallow. The sample was recorded on July 9, 2024 with the lab report issued on July 16, the TDP leader claimed.

The TDP leader alleged that during the YSRCP regime animal fats were used in the ghee, compromising the purity of Tirupati Laddu Prasadam. Meanwhile, the Opposition YSRCP filed a lunch motion petition in AP High Court on Friday on the allegations made by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. The high court posted the hearing on Wednesday.