Vellampalli: SIT Investigation Debunks Tirumala Laddu Claims Despite Ongoing Propaganda

Former YSRCP Minister Claims SIT Report Exonerates Party in Tirumala Laddu Controversy

Former minister Vellampalli Srinivas has publicly stated that the recent CBI-SIT chargesheet regarding the Tirumala laddu controversy has disproven allegations made by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his coalition partners. Speaking at the YSRCP camp office in Tadepalli on Thursday, Srinivas criticized the ruling coalition for continuing what he termed “shameless propaganda” despite the findings.

The controversy, which has significant religious and political implications in Andhra Pradesh, centers on allegations that animal fat was used in the preparation of laddus at the sacred Tirumala temple, one of Hinduism’s most revered sites. According to Srinivas, the SIT chargesheet contains no evidence supporting claims about animal fat, pig fat, or fish oil in the laddu ghee.

“The baseless allegations made by Chandrababu Naidu and his allies have deeply hurt Hindu sentiments across the state,” Srinivas said. “Yet despite the SIT report clearing these accusations, the Chief Minister has refused to apologize to devotees.”

Srinivas further alleged that instead of admitting to what he characterized as false allegations, Naidu has pivoted to new claims, suggesting that toilet-cleaning chemicals were used in the prasadam. The former minister condemned these statements as “a malicious attempt to insult the sanctity of Tirumala” and part of a pattern of “diversionary politics” employed whenever public discontent rises over governance issues.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which administers the temple and its operations, has been at the center of political controversy since the current government took power. The temple, which attracts millions of devotees annually and has an annual budget exceeding Rs 3,000 crore, holds immense cultural and religious significance in the region.

Srinivas did acknowledge certain irregularities during the period in question, referring to incidents documented in the CBI report where rejected ghee tankers reportedly re-entered the system and were ultimately used in prasadam preparation. However, he attributed these failures to administrative lapses rather than deliberate adulteration.

In broadening his criticism, the former minister enumerated several temple-related incidents and alleged desecrations during the current coalition’s governance, questioning their commitment to protecting Hindu institutions. He specifically targeted Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, accusing him of engaging in “scripted politics” with inconsistent positions on matters of faith.

The Tirumala laddu controversy has significant political ramifications in Andhra Pradesh, where religious sentiments often influence political loyalties. The sacred prasadam distributed at the temple is consumed by millions of devotees annually and any questions about its purity touch deep religious sentiments.

Temple administration officials have maintained throughout the controversy that strict quality control measures are in place for the preparation of the laddus, which are made using pure ingredients including ghee, gram flour, sugar, raisins, and cardamom.

Srinivas concluded his address with a demand that Naidu, Kalyan, and coalition ministers apologize to the Hindu community and devotees for what he termed exploitation of faith for political gain.

“True devotees would never spread unverified claims that damage a sacred institution,” Srinivas said. “Lord Venkateswara and Tirumala should not be dragged into political battles.”

The controversy continues to simmer in state politics, with both ruling and opposition parties using the issue to question each other’s commitment to religious values, even as temple authorities work to maintain devotee confidence in the sanctity of the prasadam.