War of words erupted between actor Prakash Raj and Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday over the Tirupati laddu row. Pawan Kalyan slammed the actor for questioning his secularism credentials.
The Janasena leader Pawan Kalyan said, "Secularism is a two-way street. If you expect us to take the beating while others are pampered, that's not going to happen...If anyone tries to mess with Sanatana Dharma, we all Hindus will rightfully voice out."
Kalyan on Tuesday was participating in a cleansing programme at the Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada, as part of his 11-day penance following the allegations of the usage of adulterated ghee.
"You speak anything you wish against Aiyyappa Deeksha. Will you do the same against Islam? You won't do that because you fear they will beat you on the roads." Pawan Kalyan
— 🅺🅳🆁 (@KDRtweets) September 24, 2024
He warned the people of the cinema industry who passed comments on the laddoo issue. pic.twitter.com/Qv2GpHqf8i
While reacting to the Pawan Kalyan's remarks, Prakash Raj said, "Dear @PawanKalyan garu..I saw your press meet.. what I have said and what you have misinterpreted is surprising.. I'm shooting abroad. Will come back to reply your questions.. meanwhile i would appreciate if you can go through my tweet earlier and understand #justasking."
Dear @PawanKalyan garu..i saw your press meet.. what i have said and what you have misinterpreted is surprising.. im shooting abroad. Will come back to reply your questions.. meanwhile i would appreciate if you can go through my tweet earlier and understand #justasking pic.twitter.com/zP3Z5EfqDa
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) September 24, 2024
Accompanied by party leaders, Kalyan washed and scrubbed the steps of the temple.
#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan undertakes an 11-day 'Prayaschitta Diksha' at Sri Dasavatara Venkateswara Swamy Temple, in Guntur, over the alleged adulteration of the Tirumala's Laddu Prasadam.
— ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2024
"I am deeply hurt on a personal level by the malicious attempts made… pic.twitter.com/r7Nm5ysbrW
"I strongly follow Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism). We are Ram devotees, we used to have Rama Japam (chants) in our home...India equally accommodated all religions including Muslims, Christians and Zoroastrians," Kalyan told reporters at the temple.
"Prakash Raj commented against me. I was talking about the sacrilege that occurred to Hindus. What role does Prakash Raj have in this? Did I abuse another religion, did I abuse Islam, did I abuse Christianity, should I not talk when a mistake happens, when a sacrilege had happened?" he asked.
Raj in his earlier comments had urged Kalyan not to escalate the issues when the country is already reeling from several communal tensions.
The Tirupati laddu controversy had become a centre point in Andhra politics. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had alleged the use of ingredients including fish oil and beef tallow in the ghee used for the making of laddus in Tirupati temple during YSRC Jagan Mohan Reddy's term.
Lab results confirmed the presence of animal fat in the ghee used for making the laddus as well.
