Tirupati Laddu Row: The Central government on Friday stepped in to demand a report on the ingredients used in the “prasadam” given to devotees at the Tirumala-Tirupati temple exploded. The move came after a simmering controversy emerged over the raw materials used in the laddu given.
Union health minister JP Nadda said he spoke to Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and sought a report on allegations that a lab examination of the laddus at a lab at the National Dairy Development Board’s CALF lab in Anand, Gujarat, found “beef tallow”, “lard” and “fish oil”. The sample receipt date was July 9 and the lab report was dated July 16 – both dates coming after Naidu had taken charge as CM.
Union food minister Pralhad Joshi also called for an investigation into the allegations, which has sparked concern among a section of devotees.
“Whatever the Andhra chief minister has said is a matter of serious concern. A detailed inquiry is required and the culprit should be punished,” Joshi told reporters on the sidelines of a global food regulators’ summit in Delhi.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday expressed concern over reports of adulteration in the famed Tirupati laddu, a sacred offering distributed at the Sri Venkateshwara temple in Andhra Pradesh. Taking to social media, Gandhi called for a thorough investigation into the issue, stressing the need to maintain the sanctity of religious spaces.
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