In a surprising revelation, a lab report has confirmed the presence of beef tallow, fish oil, and palm oil in the preparation of the famous Tirupati laddu, distributed as prasad at the renowned Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati. This report has ignited outrage, with accusations of using non-vegetarian ingredients in the sacred offering.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged on Wednesday that the previous YSRCP government was responsible for the use of substandard ingredients, including animal fats, in the laddu’s preparation. The opposition, however, firmly denied the accusation.
The findings come from a report by the Centre of Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (CALF) lab, based at the National Dairy Development Board in Gujarat. It identified traces of beef tallow, fish oil, and lard in the ghee used during the YSRCP government’s tenure.
The Sri Venkateswara temple, managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), distributes these laddus as prasad to millions of devotees. The controversy has shaken the state, with state IT minister Nara Lokesh also condemning the alleged use of non-vegetarian ingredients in the sacred offering.
The controversy has deeply hurt religious sentiments, fueling a strong response from both the public and political figures.
