Amid the ongoing Tirupati laddu controversy, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, called for a thorough investigation into the matter, emphasising the need to protect the sanctity of religious spaces across India.
Taking to his official handle on X, Gandhi wrote, “The reports about the defilement of the Prasad at Sri Venkateshwara temple in Tirupati are disturbing.” He stated that Lord Balaji is a revered deity for millions of devotees in India and around the world.
“This issue will hurt every devotee and needs to be thoroughly looked into. Authorities across India have to protect the sanctity of our religious spaces,” the former Congress chief said.
The row began after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu alleged that animal fat was used in the making of Tirupati laddus during the tenure of the previous government.
This claim sparked a political firestorm, with the YSRCP accusing Naidu of making “heinous allegations” for political gain, while the TDP circulated a lab report in support of the claim.
At an NDA legislative party meeting on Wednesday, Naidu reiterated that the former YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government had compromised even the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple by using substandard ingredients, including animal fat, in the preparation of the temple’s famous laddus.