Tirupati Prasadam Row: Alleged for Using Animal Fat

The TTD’s flagship product – the Tirupati laddu offered to Lord Venkateswara – is in the eye of the storm as the Tamil Nadu Democratic dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government has ordered an inquiry into the use of animal fat allegedly used as an ingredient in the preparation of the sacred prasadam. The row that ensued has caused great offence to the devotees and the issue has been investigated to the detail. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged that it was during the YSRCP regime that they were putting animal fat in the ghee used for preparing prasad. The Centre has asked for a full report on the issue and Union Health Minister JP Nadda has also called for an investigation into the same matter.

 The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthan ams has black listed the supplier and has formed a four member expert committee for constant monitoring of the ghee so that it may not be taken away by the temple. Opposition’s Congress party president Rahul Gandhi has sought detailed inquiry into the matter and has demanded that all Indian authorities ensure security to the sacred places of worship. Opp parties have called the BJP government a ‘murder in broad daylight’ to protect swathes of land the government had assigned to a private company while Andhra Pradesh Congress President YS Sharmila has sought a CBI probe into the heinous crime. Beef tallow is the pure fat obtained from cuts of beef for example rump roast or beef ribs and beef steaks. It can also be made by heating fat separated from meat, to a liquid that turns into a malleable texture when allowed to cool down – more like the consistency of butter at room temperature. 

Tirupati Prasadam Row has created a lot of anger among the people and as a result a detailed inquiry is made on the issue. Tom-tomming of this sacrilege claim through media is not good for the institution and the allegations that the animal fat is used to prepare the sacred laddu has to be addressed. Places of worship are sacred and the government’s role is to guarantee the purity of the prasad for the Lord Venkateswara.