Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu Alleges Organized Conspiracy in Tirumala Laddu Ghee Adulteration
In a dramatic session of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched a sharp attack on the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government, alleging an organized conspiracy behind the adulteration of ghee used in preparing the sacred Tirumala laddu prasadam. Naidu described this act as "Mahapaap" (great sin) against Lord Venkateswara, framing it as a direct assault on Hindu religious sentiments.
Forensic Evidence Reveals Massive Scale of Adulteration
During a short discussion focused specifically on the ghee adulteration case, the ruling NDA coalition presented forensic findings that established the enormous scale of the irregularities. Naidu emphasized that this was not merely about "one laddu" but involved systematic corruption spanning years.
The chief minister revealed staggering numbers: between 2019 and 2024, approximately 59.71 lakh kilograms of adulterated ghee was used to prepare around 20 crore laddus, with the total cost estimated at Rs 235 crore. Naidu told the assembly that this adulteration scheme involved active participation from officials, technical experts, and a well-organized syndicate of suppliers working in coordination.
CBI Investigation and Historical Context of Temple Attacks
Naidu informed the house that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was close to filing a chargesheet on January 23, which had been submitted to the Supreme Court just one day earlier. He connected this current scandal to what he described as a pattern of attacks on Hindu temples that began during the tenure of former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.
The chief minister recalled a controversial decision from that period when the then Panchayat Raj secretary issued orders to limit the sacred seven hills of Tirumala to just two hills. This move sparked widespread protests from Hindus across India that continued for two years, eventually forcing the government to reverse its decision.
Defending Heritage Dairy and Clarifying Business Links
Rebuking allegations that tried to connect the ghee scandal to Heritage Dairy, a company owned by his family, Naidu stated categorically that no Heritage products had ever been supplied to any government department. He claimed these attempts were made with malicious intent to tarnish his family's reputation.
"Heritage has always stood on ethics and integrity without any government support," Naidu asserted. He clarified that Indapur Dairy in Pune, which had business connections with Heritage, was engaged in co-manufacturing for many reputable companies, suggesting this was standard industry practice rather than evidence of wrongdoing.
Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan Details Investigation Findings
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan provided additional details about the investigation, confirming that the CBI-led probe had established that no milk was used in producing the ghee supplied for laddu preparation. Kalyan revealed that tender norms were deliberately altered to favor specific companies, bypassing proper procedures.
Following these revised norms, companies including Bhole Baba and its associated entities, Mahalakshmi, Ganga, and Vaishnavi Dairy received contracts between 2020 and 2023 despite not producing any ghee from milk, as documented in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) chargesheet.
Devastating Impact on Devotees and Call for Hindu Unity
Kalyan presented sobering statistics about the scale of the religious violation: approximately 110 crore devotees visited Tirumala between 2019 and 2024, with nearly 48 crore laddu units sold during this period. Of these, around 20 crore laddus were prepared using the adulterated ghee, according to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) records placed before the assembly.
The deputy chief minister described the entire episode as a direct attack on Hindu faith, arguing that if such sacrilege had occurred in any other religion, it would have become a major national issue. He called for unity among Hindus to strongly condemn what he termed cowardly acts against their religious practices and sacred offerings.
The assembly discussion highlighted not just a food adulteration scandal but what the ruling coalition framed as systematic disrespect toward Hindu religious institutions and practices during the previous administration, with both Naidu and Kalyan emphasizing the need for accountability and protection of religious sanctity.
