Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday raised alarm over reports of adulteration in the renowned Tirupati laddu, a sacred offering distributed at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh. Through a social media post, Gandhi emphasized the importance of safeguarding the sanctity of religious sites and called for a comprehensive investigation into the matter. He urged authorities to take immediate action to preserve the integrity of the holy offering, which holds deep religious significance for devotees. In a post on X, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed concern over reports of adulteration in the Prasad at Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, calling the allegations “disturbing.” Gandhi emphasized the deep reverence millions of devotees hold for Lord Balaji, noting that this issue could deeply hurt their sentiments. “The reports about the defilement of the Prasad at Sri Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati are disturbing. Lord Balaji is a revered deity for millions of devotees in India and across the world. This issue will hurt every devotee and needs to be thoroughly looked into,” he stated.
Gandhi’s remarks come amid an escalating national controversy over allegations of animal fat being used in the preparation of the famed Tirupati laddu, a sacred offering at the hill shrine. He urged swift action to safeguard the sanctity of religious sites, adding, “Authorities across India have to protect the sanctity of our religious spaces.”
The controversy first gained traction when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu raised concerns over the quality of ingredients used in the laddu’s preparation. Naidu alleged that under the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP)-led administration, there had been lapses in maintaining quality standards, with reports of animal fat and other impurities being detected in the ghee used for the laddus. This has led to a growing outcry for accountability and transparency in the temple’s operations.
