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The Tirupati Temple laddu controversy continues to escalate, with a former chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), YV Subba Reddy, filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court, seeking an independent investigation into allegations of adulteration in the temple's iconic prasadam, the laddu. This move comes in the wake of accusations made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy about the use of adulterated ghee in the laddus.
Reddy, in his PIL, contends that the allegations are baseless and seeks a court-monitored inquiry by a retired judge or a committee comprising domain experts. He requests a comprehensive report detailing the forensic analysis of the lab report, including the origin and procurement details of the ghee used in the testing. He emphasizes the TTD's strict adherence to standard operating procedures, outlining the sampling and testing process for all ghee shipments arriving at the temple complex. This, he asserts, ensures only pure ghee meets the standards outlined in the tender document, and any substandard ghee is immediately rejected.
Reddy further highlights the significant changes implemented during the previous YSRCP government to enhance the purity and quality of ghee used at the Tirupati temple. These changes include the appointment of a retired scientist from CFTRI to oversee the TTD laboratory, a substantial increase in the number of trained technicians, a revised sample collection and testing protocol, laboratory upgrades with advanced equipment and facilities, and collaboration with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to further strengthen testing and quality control. He also emphasizes the procurement of over 550 native cows for ghee production at the temple's Gaushala.
The PIL also criticizes the Andhra CM's public statements alleging the presence of animal fat in the Tirupati laddu. Reddy argues that these remarks have deeply offended the sentiments of millions of Hindu devotees, causing irreparable damage to the temple's sanctity and reputation. He points out the discrepancy between the CM's claims and the TTD's official statements, and the inexplicable delay in addressing the alleged adulteration issue despite the availability of lab reports in July 2024. Reddy's PIL seeks to bring transparency and accountability to the issue, while also protecting the sanctity of the Tirupati temple and the religious beliefs of its devotees.