Tirupati laddu row: Former TTD head demands judicial probe; Temple conducts ‘sanitisation’ ritual

The former head of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has approached the Supreme Court demanding a judicial probe into allegations of adulteration in the manufacturing of laddu prasadam at the Tirupati Venkateshwara temple. Meanwhile, ‘purification’ rituals were carried out at the temple on Monday to ‘restore’ the sanctity of laddu prasadams.

Former TTD Chairman  Y.V. Subba Reddy moved the Supreme Court on Monday, demanding a probe into allegations of using ghee adulterated with animal fat for producing the laddu prasadam at Tirupati temple. Reddy demanded that an independent committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge should probe the allegations.

Recently, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu kicked up a row saying during the previous Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy regime, substandard ghee, adulterated with animal fat, was used for making the sweetmeat. Jaganmohan Reddy refuted the allegations and has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Supreme Court Chief Justice demanding a probe into the matter.

Reddy charged Chandrababu Naidu was a pathological and habitual liar and the false propaganda had the potential to hurt the sentiments of Hindu devotees across the globe.

Meanwhile, a four-hour Shanti Homam Panchagavya Prokshana (ritualistic sanitisation) was conducted at Tirupati temple on Monday to undo the alleged desecrations.  A TTD source told PTI that the ritual began at 6am and went on till 10am, aimed at propitiating Lord Venkateswara Swamy from the alleged sacrilegious practices such as mixing animal fats in making Tirupati laddus (consecrated sweet) and others, PTI reported.

TTD executive officer J. Shyamala Rao had said these rituals will ward off the ill effects and restore the sanctity of laddu prasadams (consecrated food) along with the well-being of Srivari devotees.