Lab testing revealed the use of foreign fats, such as beef and pig fat, in oil for Tirupati Maha Prasadam. Politics has now begun to gain some votes in the name of god.
A lab test has revealed the presence of foreign fats, including beef and pig fat, in the oil used for making Laddus, a key component of Tirupati Maha Prasadam. The discovery has sparked political debates, with some seeing it as a move to gain votes by exploiting religious sentiments.
The test report indicated that, in addition to coconut and vegetable oils, the oil used contained lard (pig fat) and tallow (beef fat). Experts, however, have suggested that the results could be false, depending on various factors. Nevertheless, the ruling Chandrababu Naidu government has seized the opportunity to criticize the previous administration led by YSRCP.
In response, the opposition has dismissed the allegations as a political stunt orchestrated by Chandrababu Naidu. The current Chief Minister, Naidu, stated, “The lab report confirms that beef tallow, lard, and fish oil were used in the preparation of ghee supplied to Tirumala, and the S value is only 19.7.”
Naidu’s son, IT Minister Nara Lokesh, also aimed YSRCP leader Jagan Mohan Reddy, expressing his shock at the alleged use of fat instead of ghee in the sacred Tirupati Prasadam. Lokesh added, “The Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala is our most sacred temple, and this is a grave issue.”
YSRCP leader Subba Reddy refuted the claims, calling them “malicious.” He added, “No one would make such baseless accusations about Tirumala Prasadam.”
Why Was the Oil Tested?
The Chandrababu Naidu government decided to test the oil after receiving complaints about a change in the taste and texture of the Tirupati laddus. To address these concerns, a committee of experts was formed, including Dr. B. Surendranath (former scientist of the National Dairy Research Institute, Vijayawada), Bhaskar Reddy (dairy expert), Dr. G. Swarnalatha, and Prof. Mahadevan.
The committee recommended measures to improve the quality and taste of the laddus, but their findings about the oil ignited a political storm, hurting religious sentiments.
Could the Lab Results Be False?
Some professionals have suggested that there could be false positives in the lab results. Factors such as overfeeding cows with vegetable oil-rich feed or removing cholesterol from milk could skew the results. Additionally, underfeeding animals might also lead to similar outcomes.
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