Andhra Sadhu Parishad demands strict action, says ‘Jagan has ruined sanctity of temple’

Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) (India), September 24 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad on Tuesday staged a protest outside the administrative building of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams demanding strict action against those responsible for the alleged use of adulterated ghee in ‘laddoo prasadam’ offered at the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirupati.

The seers were seen standing outside the building holding placards that read, among others, ‘Save Tirumala’ and ‘Save TTD’.

Speaking to ANI, Swami Srinivasananda Saraswati, president of Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad, accused YSRCP president and former Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy of “ruining the sanctity” of the Tirumala temple during his tenure.

“We are very disturbed. YSRCP president Jagan Mohan Reddy belongs to the Christian community and he never gave importance to Lord Venkateswara. He never believed in Hinduism. He always employed Christians in the post of president and other posts. These employees always saw Lord Venkateswara for commercial purposes,” Swami Srinivasananda Saraswati said.

“In five years, Jagan Mohan Reddy has ruined the sanctity of the Tirumala temple. He has taken a lot of money from the offerings made by Hindu devotees in the temples. We request the government to take strict action against those involved,” the seer added.

Earlier, responding to the controversy, Shankaracharya of Dwarka Sharada Peetham Math, Swami Sadanand Saraswati, said that Hindu sentiments have been violated and there should be no government interference in temples.

“The sentiments of Hindus have been manipulated. A big sin has been committed. That is why we demand that the government should not interfere in the temples. Devotees visit them with great respect. Many Hindus do not even consume onions and garlic, but in the name of Prasad, they have been forced to eat animal fat,” said Swami Sadanand Saraswati.

“This is a conspiracy of great magnitude. Is it so difficult for a temple that receives millions of dollars in donations to buy pure ghee? Only Hindu places of worship are under the government’s control. A proper investigation should be conducted and the real culprits should be punished severely,” he added.

This comes after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu triggered a political controversy by claiming that the ghee used in preparing Tirupati laddu prasadam, offered at the Sri Venkateswara Swami temple in Tirupati during the previous YSRCP government, contained animal fat.

Following these allegations, the state government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged adulteration of prasadam.

“We are forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising officers from the IGP and above. The SIT will submit a report to the government and we will act accordingly to ensure that such incidents do not recur. I am talking about three aspects: one, purification as per tradition; two, ordering an inquiry at the IGP level; and three, ensuring that only believers are part of the management committee. Finally, we will lay down standard operating procedures for all temples,” Naidu said earlier.

However, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy dismissed allegations that the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is “politicising religious issues”. “The tender process is held every six months and the qualification criteria have not changed in decades. Suppliers have to provide NABL certificate and product quality certificate. The TTD collects ghee samples and only products that pass the certification are used. The TDP is politicising religious issues. During our regime, we have rejected products 18 times,” Reddy said.

Reddy also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the prasadam issue, alleging that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is trying to “irreparably tarnish the sanctity, integrity and reputation” of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

“Chandrababu Naidu, a pathological and habitual liar, has stooped to the extent of gravely harming the beliefs of millions of people solely for political purposes. His actions have indeed debased not only the stature of a Chief Minister but also that of all actors in public life and the sanctity of the world-renowned TTD and its practices,” the letter said. (ANI)