Amaravati: At a press conference on Sunday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu ordered the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged presence of animal fat in ghee used for making Tirupati laddoos when the YSR Congress Party was in power. The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of this investigation in ensuring the sanctity and quality of the religious offerings at Tirumala.
He told reporters the SIT would be headed by an Inspector General (IG) or a higher official.
He vowed to purify Tirumala and restore its glory, stating that action would be taken against the guilty based on the SIT report, thereby instilling confidence in the public.
Naidu said due to suspicion over the quality of ghee used for making laddoo prasadam, samples from four tankers were sent to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) for analysis. He claimed that lab reports revealed the presence of pork and beef fat.
The Chief Minister said Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Executive Officer Shyamala Rao issued notices to concerned organisations and blacklisted them. A committee of experts was constituted for subsequent action, and fresh tenders were called.
Naidu remarked that former chief minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy defended the wrong in the letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The letter is full of lies. Tirumala does not have a system to conduct full-fledged tests to check adulteration,” he said.
He alleged that Jagan did not even spare Tirumala in the name of reverse tendering. He said he changed the rules to give tenders to his own people for commissions and claimed that even those who could not produce ghee participated in the bidding.
The TDP chief alleged that Jagan used Tirumala for political advantages and appointed those who did not believe in Lord Venkateswara as TTD chairman. “The TTD board was turned into a political rehabilitation centre. Tirumala was desecrated in every way,” he said.
Recalling that former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam signed affidavits while visiting Tirumala that they were believers of Lord Venkateswara, the TDP chief asked Jagan Mohan Reddy why he did not sign an affidavit.
The Chief Minister launched a counterattack on YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders Y. S. Subba Reddy and Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, who served as chairmen of TTD during the YSRCP rule. Naidu claimed that Subba Reddy’s wife goes around with a Bible in her hand while Karunakar Reddy performs the marriage of his daughter as per Christian traditions.
Referring to the 2003 Claymore mine attack on him by Maoists near Tirumala, Naidu claimed that Lord Venkateswara gave him a new life. He also claimed that he got another term as the chief minister for the purification of Tirumala.
The Chief Minister said no ruler in the past dared to tarnish the sanctity of Tirumala. He said when Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy said Tirumala has only two hills, he fought against him.
Naidu emphasised that he immediately initiated the purification of Tirumala upon assuming office, demonstrating his respect for religious traditions. He disclosed that a yam was held at Tirumala on August 15 as part of the purification process. The Agama Advisory Council of TTD has decided to conduct Shanti Homam. Agama Advisory Council of TTD has decided to conduct Shanti Homam. Shanti Homam and ‘Panchagravya Prokshana’ will be conducted on Monday, further upholding our religious traditions.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan announced on Friday the start of an 11-day penance period after it was discovered that Tirumala Prasadam contained animal fat. On Sunday, he began atonement at Sri Dashavatara Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Nambur, Guntur District. After eleven days, he will visit the Tirupati Temple.
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–IANS
