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Tirumala – Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had clearly established that the ghee used in the Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy laddu prasadam during the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government did not meet the standards of genuine cow ghee.

He stated that the investigation indicated the use of an oil-based substitute manufactured with chemicals and palm oil, a development he said had deeply hurt the religious sentiments of devotees across the country.

Allegations Raised at Jana Sena Meeting

Addressing the Jana Sena Party’s general body meeting, Pawan Kalyan said the SIT had exercised restraint in its public disclosures out of respect for the faith of crores of devotees. He noted that investigators did not explicitly state whether animal fat was present, but maintained that the findings were sufficient to establish adulteration.

He accused YSRCP leaders of circulating misleading claims and asked them to stop what he described as deliberate misinformation. According to him, political leaders have a responsibility to place verified facts before the public, especially when matters of religious significance are involved.

Claims of Rule Changes and Procurement Irregularities

The Jana Sena Party president further alleged that the previous administration committed a serious violation at the Tirumala temple by altering long-standing procurement norms. He claimed these changes allowed the purchase of large quantities of substandard ghee for use in the sacred laddu prasadam.

Pawan Kalyan questioned how pure cow ghee could be supplied at unusually low prices when even high-quality sesame oil costs several hundred rupees per kilogram. He alleged that financial considerations overrode established practices and accused the former government of denying responsibility after losing power.

He said the issue should be taken to the public so that devotees are fully informed about decisions made during the earlier regime.

YSRCP Rejects Allegations, Cites Lab Reports

Responding to the accusations, YSRCP state spokesperson and former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy said the controversy was being politicised. Speaking to reporters in Tirupati, he accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of suppressing key facts and allowing false narratives to spread.

Bhumana said laboratory reports from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) clearly stated that no animal fat was detected in the ghee samples tested. Despite this, he claimed that a coordinated campaign using hoardings, flex boards, and social media posts had targeted senior YSRCP leaders by portraying them as responsible for adulteration.

Findings of the SIT and Counter-Claims

According to Bhumana, the SIT did not find any direct role of the then TTD board leadership in the alleged adulteration. He said the probe pointed instead to certain technical officials who had continued in their positions from an earlier Telugu Desam Party (TDP) administration and allegedly colluded with suppliers.

He also accused sections of the media aligned with the ruling coalition of shifting their stance after central agency reports contradicted claims about animal fat. Bhumana maintained that during the YSRCP tenure, tender conditions were tightened, NDDB-linked quality testing was introduced, and efforts were made to move toward in-house ghee production using indigenous cattle and scientific testing systems.

Political and Ethical Dimensions

Bhumana questioned why allegations were being repeated even after a Supreme Court-monitored inquiry found no evidence of animal fat. He asked whether fuelling public anger and encouraging hostility toward political opponents reflected responsible governance.

He said invoking Lord Venkateswara and the sacred laddu prasadam for political advantage caused deep hurt to devotees. He concluded by stating that faith should never be compromised for political survival and that the public would ultimately judge leaders who used religious sentiments as a tool for political gain.