Tirupati Laddu Controversy: Study Reveals Use of Animal Fat, Fish Oil; Sparks Outrage

A recent study has caused a stir by revealing that animal fat was allegedly used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus, a sacred offering at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), after its victory in the recent assembly elections, has accused the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by Jagan Mohan Reddy, of desecrating the sanctity of Tirumala by using animal fat instead of ghee during Reddy’s previous five-year rule.

These allegations were raised by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu during an NDA Legislative Party meeting. He claimed that the YSRCP government had used substandard ingredients to prepare the laddus, accusing them of polluting the holiness of Tirumala. Senior YSRCP leader and MP YV Subba Reddy refuted the claims, stating, “My family and I are willing to take an oath before the almighty Seven Hills regarding Tirumala Prasadam.”

The controversy intensified after a study conducted by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) revealed that ingredients such as fish oil, soybean oil, and animal fat had been mixed into the ghee used in the laddus. The findings have sparked outrage and prompted accusations of religious insensitivity.

During a press conference, TDP reiterated its claims, stating that a lab test had confirmed the presence of “beef tallow,” lard, and fish oil in the ghee used by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The samples were reportedly collected and tested by a Gujarat-based livestock laboratory. However, the Andhra Pradesh government and the TTD have yet to officially confirm the results.

YSRCP leaders, including YV Subba Reddy, who served as chairman of the TTD for four years, slammed Naidu for making “heinous” allegations that hurt the sentiments of devotees. YSRCP accused Naidu and his party of playing politics to gain public sympathy. Meanwhile, AP Congress Committee President Y S Sharmila has called for a CBI investigation, accusing both TDP and YSRCP of using the issue for political mileage.