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A major controversy broke out in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday when the ruling Telugu Desam Party claimed that the ghee used to make laddus at the Tirupati temple contained "beef tallow," "lard" (pig fat), and fish oil.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government, led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, of using "animal fat" instead of ghee in the laddus offered at the Tirupati shrine.
At a press conference, TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy presented a lab report that allegedly confirmed the presence of "beef tallow" in the ghee sample. TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy showed a lab report at a press conference to support the claim about the ghee samples provided by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
He stated, “The lab reports confirm that beef tallow, animal fat (lard), and fish oil were used in the ghee supplied to Tirumala, and the S value is only 19.7.”
However, neither the Andhra Pradesh government nor the TTD officially confirmed the lab report. In response, the YSRCP accused Naidu of making "heinous allegations" for political advantage.
The main controversy centers on the alleged use of beef tallow, which is made from rendered fat taken from beef cuts like rump roast, ribs, and steaks.Tallow can also be made by heating and melting fat skimmed from meat, turning it into a liquid that solidifies into a flexible, butter-like texture when cooled to room temperature.
Senior YSRCP leader and Rajya Sabha member YV Subba Reddy, who previously served as chairman of TTD for four years, stated that Naidu’s allegations undermined the sacred nature of the deity and hurt the feelings of devotees.
Reddy said, "It is unimaginable to even say that animal fat was used in the consecrated food offered to the deity and the laddus given to devotees. There is no other heinous attempt than alleging that animal fat was being used."
Reddy, asserting that he is a Hindu who worships Sri Venkateswara Swamy, challenged the Andhra CM to come and swear before the deity whether his allegations are true or false.