Mumbai News: Amid ongoing concerns regarding the quality of prasad in temples, a purported video circulating on social media allegedly shows mice on the packets of laddus from the Siddhivinayak Temple. In response to the allegations, the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust (SSGT) has vehemently denied the claims and initiated an investigation into the matter. The purported video depicts mice on torn packets of laddus placed in a blue tray.
Sada Sarvankar, Shiv Sena leader and chairperson of SSGT, addressed the issue in a statement to news agency PTI on Tuesday. He noted, "Lakhs of laddus are distributed daily, and the place they are prepared is clean. The video shows a dirty place. I can see it is not of the temple and has been shot somewhere outside."
Sarvankar added that the temple will review CCTV footage and has appointed an officer of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) rank to oversee the inquiry. He assured that action would be taken against anyone found guilty.
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Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust Emphasises Quality Check For Prasad
During a previous press conference, Sarvankar emphasised the temple's commitment to cleanliness, stating, "Ghee, cashew and other ingredients are first sent for testing at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's lab and used after approval," underscoring that even the water used is tested. "This means we pay full attention to ensure that the prasad given to devotees is pure," he asserted.
"This video is not from here. We have thoroughly checked the clip and somebody appears to have taken the photograph elsewhere," he remarked.
This controversy coincides with recent allegations made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on September 18. Naidu accused the previous government led by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy of using substandard ingredients and animal fat in the preparation of Tirupati laddus.