There is an uproar over the Tirumala Laddu Prasadam controversy. At the same time, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has tweeted and demanded the formation of a national level Sanatan Dharma Rakshan Board. The issue has escalated after claims that animal fats including fish oil, pork and beef fat were mixed in the holy ‘prasadam’ offered at the Tirumala temple. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Jana Sena Party chief expressed his concern. He said that we are all very upset by the revelation of animal fat allegedly found in Tirupati Balaji Prasadam.
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Pawan Kalyan further wrote that many questions remain unanswered by the TTD board, which was constituted by the previous YCP government. Kalyan also assured that the Andhra Pradesh government will take strong action in response to the findings. He stressed the need for national-level action, advocating the formation of a ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’ to address temple-related concerns across India. “The time has come to set up a board to look into all temple matters in India,” he said, adding that the situation calls for a wide-ranging debate involving policymakers, religious leaders, the judiciary, citizens and the media.
The Jana Sena Party chief said that the quality of the prasad is always much better and if you get even a small bite, it is like Mahaprasad for everyone. It was done with great devotion. He said that the ingredients chosen for the prasad are procured from very reliable groups/companies. Everything is procured in a very well structured manner. No one dared to violate that part, dared to change. He said that you need 15,000 kg of ghee per day to make the prasad. He claims that they changed the vendors because it is more than Rs 1000 and they changed it and reduced it.
“They told me they were supplied for Rs 360-400. Ghee is made at a high price. So, how could they get ghee so cheap? … People were regularly complaining about the smell which is not normal with prasad. I thought no one would dare to violate such complaints but I was thinking about other things in TTD,” Kalyan said. “We have been raising concerns about the quality of prasad and the functioning of TTD. When we formed the government and said we want to revive TTD and sent samples, we realised that animal fat, fish oil, beef fat and pig fat were there. We are hurt and shocked,” he said.
Actor-turned-politician Kalyan said that this is what happens when people take over if they have no commitment, no value and no respect for the sanctity of the temple. He said that it is not just about prasad, maybe alcohol and non-veg were supplied, people were having parties there. All these things came to light. He said that when governments and boards are not doing a good job, there should be some other monitoring mechanism in India. If there is any kind of insult to idols, the sanctity of the temple is not maintained then Sanatan Dharma Parirakshan Board is the need of the hour.
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He said that Sanatan Dharma Parirakshan Board is necessary because when you leave political groups alone, such incidents are likely to happen on a regular basis. To thwart this and find a permanent solution, I think Sanatan Dharma Parirakshan Board should be formed. Along with this he said that maybe I will talk to my cabinet as well as CM. I will personally take it forward. We will form something like Sanatan Dharma Parirakshan Board, it is necessary. I will take it up in the next cabinet meeting.
