Tirupati Laddoo Controversy: Former TTD Chairman Denies Ghee Adulteration Claims as Political Propaganda

Former TTD Chairman and YSRCP MP YV Subba Reddy has strongly refuted allegations claiming that approximately 20 crore Tirumala laddoos made between 2019 and 2024 contained adulterated ghee. He dismissed these accusations as politically motivated propaganda lacking scientific evidence. While expressing his willingness to cooperate with the ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, he cautioned that selective information leaks and unverified claims were distorting facts and misleading devotees across the country.

Subba Reddy highlighted that similar accusations surfaced during the previous TDP government, when Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged that animal fat was being used in laddoo preparation. The matter reached the Supreme Court, which ordered a CBI-monitored investigation. "The same narrative is being circulated again before the SIT even concludes its inquiry. Has the SIT confirmed any presence of animal fat? Where is the laboratory evidence?" he questioned, urging all parties involved to await scientific findings before making judgments.

He emphasized that four ghee tankers previously identified as suspicious had been rejected and never used in production.

"Why are these tankers being referenced again after officials already clarified they were returned?" he asked, noting that the shifting allegations from vegetable fat to animal fat raised serious questions about the credibility of these claims. He warned that such unfounded speculation could undermine the faith of millions of devotees.

Addressing procurement price allegations, Subba Reddy pointed out that ghee purchased at Rs 326 per kilogram during the YSRCP administration was being labeled as adulterated, while ghee bought at lower rates in 2017 and 2018 faced no such scrutiny. "If price is the determining factor for quality, shouldn't that earlier ghee also be considered impure?" he questioned, accusing the TDP of weaponizing misinformation to target the previous government while damaging Tirumala's sanctity.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has maintained that the previous administration used substandard ingredients, including animal fat, and claimed his government has restored pure ghee usage. He questioned how ghee during the YSRCP period could be procured at Rs 319 when even palm oil was priced higher.

TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy claimed that National Dairy Development Board laboratory tests detected fish oil, lard, palm oil, and beef tallow in ghee supplied during the previous administration. He demanded explanations from Subba Reddy and called for complete transparency in the investigation.

TDP MLA Gandi Babji alleged widespread corruption in procurement processes, while NDA leaders accused the YSRCP of damaging TTD's reputation to avoid accountability. TDP MLC Deepak Reddy stated that any confirmed adulteration would constitute an affront to religious sanctity and would warrant strict action against responsible parties.

The final SIT report addressing these allegations is still pending.