The famous Tirupati laddu, a beloved sweet offered at one of Hinduism’s holiest shrines, is at the center of a heated controversy. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently claimed that lab tests revealed the laddus, offered as a deity's blessing, were contaminated with animal and vegetable fats, including "beef tallow" and "fish oil." This has sparked widespread outrage, particularly among religious leaders, who see it as an attack on Hindu faith and temple sanctity.
Naidu’s allegations have also led to a political clash with former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who vehemently denied the claims and accused Naidu of playing politics. The temple management, known for preparing 350,000 laddus daily, has since sourced ghee from multiple suppliers, with one company, AR Dairy, rejecting the allegations as unfounded. In response, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) conducted a purification ritual to reassure devotees. The issue has sparked protests, social media outrage, and calls for investigations into other temples' offerings, highlighting growing concerns over the integrity of religious practices.