Animal Fat In Tirumala Prasad: A Timeline Of Events So Far

A massive controversy has erupted in India after Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu claimed that animal fat, instead of ghee, was used in the Tirupati laddus.

Here's a brief timeline of the events so far:

18 September

Naidu Says Prasad Adulterated

At a legislature party meeting in Vijayawada on Wednesday, marking 100 days of the NDA regime in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged that ghee used in the prasadam at the Tirupati Tirumala temple during the previous YSR Congress Party's tenure was adulterated with animal fat.

Naidu’s claims sent shockwaves not just in Andhra but throughout India and sparked a heated political exchange. 

Karunakar Reddy called the allegations a direct attack on the Hindu community. He emphasized that Tirumala Prasadam is prepared by Srivaishnava clan members, and dismissed any involvement by the trust board or its officials in the process.

19 September

TDP shares report mentioning adulteration

TDP spokesperson Anam Venkatararamana Reddy made public copies of a document which he claimed was the report of the tests conducted on the prasadam at the National Dairy Development Board in Gujarat. This document says that the ‘sample’, which in the current case is the Tirupati prasadam, did indeed contain beef tallow, lard, and fish oil. 

Beef tallow is the fat of a cow and lard is the fat of pork. 

“The lab reports of samples which were sent for testing to National Dairy Development Board in Gujarat certify that beef tallow and animal fat - lard, and fish oil were used in the preparation of ghee which was supplied to Tirumala and also the S value is only 19.7...This is an affront to Hindu religion...The 'prasadam' which is offered to the Lord thrice a day has been mixed with this ghee...We hope that justice will be done and Lord Govind will forgive us for whatever mistakes that have been committed”, Reddy said. 

KMF denies supplying ghee

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Milk Federation reacted to the controversy and clarified that they had not supplied ghee to the TTD in the last four years. They had only started their supply to Tirumala after the TDP had come to power in the state, that is the last four months. 

TTD Sets Up Four-Member Panel to Examine Ghee Quality

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, the governing body of Tirumala temple, has set up a four-member panel to examine the quality of ghee.

TTD Executive Officer J Syamala Rao on Thursday said that a committee of four dairy experts comprising Dr Surendranath, Dr Vijay Bhaskar Reddy, Dr Swarnalatha, and Dr Mahadevan has been constituted and is expected to submit their report within a week.

He further stated that the committee would also advise on terms and conditions to be included for procuring quality ghee in the tenders.

BJP, Congress Demand Investigation

BJP Andhra spokesperson G. Bhanuprakash Reddy called for a thorough probe, accusing the previous Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy government of being "blatantly anti-Hindu" and mismanaging TTD’s funds. He also raised concerns about the ghee supply chain, urging tenders be given to cooperative societies in the cow belt region.

Congress state Vice-President Doddareddy Rambhupal Reddy also demanded a CBI investigation, stressing the need for a formal probe if Mr. Naidu stood by his allegations.

Andhra Government Begins Sanitation Efforts At Tirumala

CM Naidu on Thursday accused the earlier YSRCP government of desecrating Tirumala, the abode of revered Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple.

Further, the state government has initiated the steps to sanitise the temple.

Naidu vowed to uphold the religious sanctity of the Tirupati temple.

"We will not tolerate irregularities and our efforts will ensure that the sanctity of the temple is upheld," he stated, as the new administration moves forward with rigorous testing and oversight of all food served to devotees.

20 September

Centre Takes Cognisance, Seeks Report from Andhra government

Taking cognisance of the controversy over use of adulterated ghee in Tirupati laddus, the Centre on Friday sought a report from the Andhra Pradesh government on the matter.

Union Health Minister J P Nadda has asked Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for a "detailed report" on the issue.

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has moved High Court amid the allegations over the use of animal fat in Tirupati laddus.

The lawyers of YSRCP have reportedly sought an investigation either by a sitting judge or a court-appointed committee into the allegations by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

After the matter was mentioned before a High Court Bench on Friday (20 September) morning, the Bench asked the petitioners to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by 25 September.

The court will then hear the arguments seeking an investigation of CM Chandrababu Naidu's claims that the ghee used to make Laddu Prasadam in Tirupati temple contained animal fat.

Andhra Congress chief Y S Sharmila Seeks CBI Probe

Andhra Pradesh Congress President and Jagan Reddy's sister Y S Sharmila demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter and wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in this regard.

"Given the profound religious sentiments of millions of devotees across the nation, this matter warrants thorough investigation. Should the allegations, supported by the initial sample reports, be substantiated, it is imperative that those responsible face stringent punishment to prevent any recurrence of adulteration in the future," she wrote on X.

Pawan Kalyan Calls For Setting Up ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’

Andhra Pradesh deputy Chief Minister and Janasena party chief Pawan Kalyan on Friday (20 September) called for setting up of ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’ in India.

"We are all deeply disturbed with the findings of animal fat (fish oil,pork fat and beef fat) mixed in Tirupathi Balaji Prasad. Many questions to be answered by the TTD board constituted by YCP Govt then. Our Govt is committed to take stringent action possible," Pawan Kalyan wrote on X.

"But, this throws light on many issues surrounding desecration of temples, its land issues and other dharmic practices. May be the time has come to constitute a ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’ at a National level to look into all the issues related to temples in entire Bharath," he said.

"A debate has to happen at a 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," the noted Telugu movie actor added.

Former Tirupati Priest Says Cow Ghee used for Prasad was of Poor Quality

Former chief priest of Tirumala temple Ramana Deekshitulu has said that the cow ghee used for making prasad had a lot of impurities and was of poor quality and that he noticed this many years ago.

"I put it before the concerned authorities and the chairman of the trust board. But they did not care. It is a lonely battle for me but now, the new government has taken power and has promised to clear all the mess," he added.

Tirupati Laddu Controversy Reaches Supreme Court

The controversy over the alleged use of animal fat in the renowned Tirupati laddus reached the Supreme Court on Friday (20 September), with a lawyer filing a petition expressing concerns over Hindus' religious rights.

He claimed that the practice of using animal fat in 'ghee' violates fundamental Hindu religious customs and deeply offends the sentiments of countless devotees who regard the 'prasad' as a sacred offering.

The petitioner argued that the latest controversy, brought to light by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), reflected broader issues within temple administration and called for the protection of Hindu religious practices.