Controversy Erupts Over Adulterated Ghee at Tirumala Temple

The YSRCP is facing significant backlash due to allegations of adulteration in the raw materials, particularly ghee, used for preparing 'prasadam' at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh.

This controversy has brought Jagan Mohan Reddy’s involvement in temple affairs under scrutiny.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has sharply criticised the management of temple operations under the previous YSRCP government, suggesting that it has led to illicit activities that compromise the temple’s sanctity.

Kalyan raised concerns about the quality and sourcing of the ghee, highlighting that the low prices being claimed for its procurement seem implausible given typical market rates.

He noted that there have been persistent complaints from devotees regarding an unusual odour associated with the prasadam, indicating potential issues with quality.

In response to these allegations, A R Dairy, the Tamil Nadu-based supplier of ghee, firmly denied any wrongdoing.

They asserted that testing reports do not conclusively link their product to the claims of adulteration and emphasised that the presence of foreign substances could arise from various factors unrelated to their supply.

They ceased deliveries after July when the temple management switched vendors. The controversy continues to unfold, raising concerns over the integrity of temple practices.