Tirupati Laddoo Row: Political Slugfest Breaks Out After 'Beef Fat, Fish Oil' Found In Prasadam

A recent turn of events has given a bad press to the quality of ingredients used in the famed Tirupati laddoos, particularly the ghee, following allegations made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.

He cited a laboratory report indicating the detection of fish oil and beef tallow in the ghee supplied during the tenure of the YSR Congress Party, leading to major scrutiny over the procurement practices of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

These developments have rekindled discussions about the suspension of Nandini ghee's supply, a staple in the production of these sacred sweets, reported India Today.

The controversy began when the supply of Nandini ghee, a key ingredient in the laddoos offered at the Sri Venkateswara temple, was halted last year.

This action drew attention after the temple, which attracts thousands of devotees daily, experienced a change in the taste of its prasadam, the Srivari laddoo.

The temple's managing board, TTD, traditionally procures 5 lakh kg of ghee annually through a tender process conducted every six months.

However, the discontinuation of Nandini ghee, which had been a long-standing supplier for nearly 15 years, marked a shift in this practice.

The cessation of Nandini ghee's supply was attributed to a decision by the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government, which opted not to source from the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) due to a dispute over pricing.

The KMF had abstained from the bidding process after an increase in milk prices, which rendered it unable to offer its ghee at a competitive rate. Consequently, the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, sparking a major controversy.

KMF president K Bheema Naik lamented the exclusion of Nandini ghee, suggesting that it stemmed from discriminatory practices and warning that the quality of the laddoos would suffer as a result.

He asserted, "If any brand is supplying ghee for a price lower than Nandini, I assume that the quality will be compromised."

Blame Game: Congress vs BJP

These developments ignited a political blame game, with accusations flying between the BJP and the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka.

BJP accused the Congress of political interference in the Tirupati temple's affairs, while concerns were raised about the potential compromise in laddoo quality due to pressure from the YSRCP government on the temple board to switch ghee suppliers.

In response to the escalating controversy, the TTD has constituted a committee to recommend terms and conditions for acquiring high-quality ghee for its laddoos.

This move aims to ensure that the sanctity and taste of the prasadam remain uncompromised, addressing the concerns raised over the past year.

After the TDP's victory in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections in July, securing 167 seats in alliance with the BJP and Janasena, Chandrababu Naidu directed efforts to enhance the quality of the laddoos.

As a result, KMF resumed supplying Nandini ghee to the temple in August, signaling a return to traditional practices. This decision underscores the temple's commitment to maintaining the high standards expected by its devotees.

The temple produces around 3.5 lakh laddoos daily, with the cost of making a single laddoo nearing Rs 40.

The recipe requires significant quantities of premium ingredients, including 400-500 kg of ghee, 750 kg of cashew nuts, 500 kg of raisins, and 200 kg of cardamom.

This extensive use of high-quality materials highlights the importance of the ghee's source in preserving the laddoos' revered status among devotees.