Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on February 6, 2026, alleged that “bathroom cleaning chemicals” were mixed in the ghee used for Tirupati laddu at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) during the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regime (2019-2024).
Speaking at the “Mee Bhoomi-Mee Hakku” event in Kurnool, Naidu cited the CBI-led Special Investigation Team (SIT) report which said suppliers used to procure chemicals to adulterate ghee, including bathroom cleaning chemicals. Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha took the name of linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid (LABSA), an ingredient in a toilet cleaner, and described it as profanity. Naidu claimed this happened for five years, affecting the Tirupati and Srisailam temples, and accused the YSRCP of misleading devotees by denying animal fat and condoning adulteration.
The controversy started with Naidu’s claims that the 2024 Laddus would contain beef tallow/lard, sparking anger. The final charge sheet (January 2026) of the SIT/CBI names 36 accused (suppliers like Bhole Baba Dairy, TTD officials) for irregularities, tender violations and misconduct. This confirmed that there was no animal fat (less likely found in labs NDDB-CALF, ICAR-NDRI; cholesterol was absent). Instead, the ghee was synthetic: it was mixed with palm/palm kernel/palmoline oil and chemicals (beta-carotene, acetic acid esters, monoglycerides) to mimic pure cow ghee. This fraud began in 2019 through cartels, loose regulations, and suppressed reports (e.g., CFTRI detected 2022 adulterations).
Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP hit back, accusing Naidu, Nara Lokesh and Pawan Kalyan of politicizing religion and dragging God into politics for gain. They call the absence of animal fat in the charge sheet as evidence of misleading propaganda and are planning to approach the Supreme Court/NHRC to challenge the alliance’s “jungle raj”. The SIT has recommended action against those responsible to restore faith in the sanctity of the prasad. This dispute continues amid political allegations and counter-allegations.
-
Quick Share: Transferring files from Android to iPhone will become easier; Google is bringing a major update to Quick Share..
-
Home loan OD facility: How to reduce the interest burden without locking up y.our money..
-
BOB IT Recruitment 2026: Bank of Baroda Recruitment for 441 IT Positions; Learn Who Can Apply and the Complete Process
-
Delhi High Court Recruitment: Golden Opportunity for Graduates, Know Full Details
-
Instagram Reels Monetization: How much money will you get if your Reels get 10,000 views? Here's the complete calculation..
