Kalugotla: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday alleged that the famous Tirupati laddus were prepared using ghee adulterated with chemicals commonly used to clean bathrooms during the previous YSRCP government.

Speaking at a village meeting in Kalugotla, Kurnool district, Naidu claimed that the former administration had attempted to undermine the sanctity of Lord Venkateswara Swamy by using tainted prasadam (consecrated food).

He also alleged that the same adulterated ghee had been supplied to the renowned Srisailam Temple during the YSRCP regime.

“Ghee made out of bathroom-cleaning chemicals was used in laddus by them,” Naidu said on the sidelines of a Pattadar Passbook distribution programme in the Yemmiganur constituency. He added that the adulterated ghee had been used to make laddus for five years.

Two types of chemicals

Naidu said there were two types of chemicals involved, some of vegetable origin and more expensive, while others were derived from animal fat and cheaper. He reiterated that a National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) report had stated that animal fat was used.

The CM said, as a devotee, he should not speak much in order to preserve the sanctity of Venkateswara Swamy, but insisted that the issue was serious.

YSRCP leaders have pointed to a CBI-led SIT report which they say gives a clean chit, but Naidu claimed that YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s uncle, YV Subba Reddy, had admitted that adulteration had taken place.

Naidu said he was attempting to correct the alleged desecration of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) with adulterated prasadam and insisted there was a marked difference between the current laddus and those made previously.

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On Thursday, Naidu vowed to pursue those involved in the alleged adulteration case and announced a one-man committee to take corrective measures following the SIT report. He described the alleged adulteration as a “grave offence against devotees’ faith” and said no report had exonerated the YSRCP.

He further alleged that a 2022 report by the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) during the YSRCP government had “clearly stated that there was adulteration”, but that irregularities continued.

YSRCP Rajya Sabha MP YV Subba Reddy hit back on Thursday, saying the 2022 CFTRI report did not mention animal fat adulteration in the ghee used for the laddus, although it did note that ghee was being adulterated. He denied suppressing the report.

“If it was suppressed, then why would I even write to CFTRI to test the samples in the first place,” Subba Reddy said. He accused the state government of spreading false claims and erecting hoardings to blame the YSRCP, despite the SIT report clearing the issue.

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Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan urged Hindus to shed “silent hurt” and speak out when their faith is mocked, saying every devotee has a “Dharmic responsibility” to protect Hindu Dharma. He added that safeguarding one’s own religion does not mean opposing other faiths, but defending beliefs when they are deliberately desecrated.