Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister, Pawan Kalyan, has expressed deep remorse over the alleged use of animal fat in the sacred Tirumala Tirupati temple’s Laddu Prasadam. In a statement posted on social platform X, Kalyan called the incident a “stain on the Hindu race” and announced his decision to undergo penance for failing to detect the issue earlier.
In his post, Kalyan revealed that he was shocked upon learning about the use of animal remains in the revered Laddu Prasadam, a delicacy considered sacred by Hindus. He described the situation as a result of the “depraved tendencies” of past rulers, specifically pointing to the tenure of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. Kalyan stated that those responsible for such acts “have no faith in God and no fear” of the consequences.
“The moment I came to know that the laddu prasadam contained animal remains, I was shocked. Feeling guilty. As I am fighting for the welfare of the people, it hurts me that such trouble did not come to my attention in the beginning,” Kalyan wrote, adding that this was a “terrible injustice” against the Hindu deity.
Kalyan further announced his plans to seek atonement for the incident. He will begin a penance initiation on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at the Sri Dashavatara Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Nambur, Guntur District, and continue for 11 days before visiting the Tirumala temple.
Taking a veiled dig at former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, Kalyan claimed that the adulteration of the ghee used in the Laddu Prasadam during Reddy’s tenure was a deliberate act of desecration. He criticized both the temple administrators and the previous government for failing to detect or speak up against the act due to fear of “demonic rulers” at the time.
“The time has come to take steps towards restoring Dharma,” Kalyan stated, calling for the formation of a ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’ to oversee issues related to Hindu temples across the country. He emphasized the need for stringent action against those responsible, including discussions involving policymakers, citizens, and the judiciary.
The alleged desecration of the Tirumala Laddu Prasadam has caused significant outrage among devotees, and Kalyan’s call for a national board to protect Hindu religious sanctity is expected to gain further traction in the coming days.