Sadhguru And Sri Sri Ravi Shankar React To Tirupati Laddu Row, Demand Temple Management By Devotees

Tirupati Laddu Row: Religious leaders Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar advocate for temple administration to be handed over to devotees, calling for an overhaul in temple management.

File Photo of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Source : PTI

Amid rising concerns over the alleged use of adulterated ghee in the revered Tirupati laddu, religious leaders Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar have called for an overhaul in temple administration, advocating that it be handed over to devotees instead of government bodies.

Sadhguru took to social media platform X and stated, "Devotees consuming beef tallow in the Temple prasadam is beyond disgusting. This is why Temples should be run by Devotees, not by government administrations. Where there is no Devotion, there shall be no sanctity. Time the Hindu Temples are run by devout Hindus, not by government administration."

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar echoed similar sentiments, writing, "The Tirupati laddu row has inflicted a deep wound and rage in the Hindu psyche. It is high time that temple management is overseen by, and handed over to, religious leaders and devotees, rather than self-serving officials, ruthless business people, and politicians." He further urged, "The government should investigate the purity of products like ghee and the adulterators must not be spared whoever they may be."

The government should investigate the purity of products like ghee and the adulterators must not be spared whoever they may be.

— Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (@SriSri) September 21, 2024

This comes after the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala, acknowledged the discovery of sub-standard ghee and the presence of lard (pig fat) in samples. TTD officials confirmed this in a post on Friday night, reassuring devotees that the sanctity of the sacred sweetmeat, Srivari laddu, has been restored. "The divinity and purity of Srivari laddu is unblemished now. TTD is committed to protecting the holiness of Laddu Prasadam to the satisfaction of all the devotees," the temple board stated.

The controversy arose when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu first raised the issue, blaming the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government for allowing adulterated ghee in the preparation of the laddu. Naidu's remarks have sparked a political storm, with the YSR Congress Party accusing him of making baseless allegations for political gain. Former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy described the accusations as a "concocted story" and "diversion politics".

Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi has called for an investigation into the matter, while the Union government has requested a detailed report from the Andhra Pradesh government. Meanwhile, TTD Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao announced that the contractor responsible for supplying the adulterated ghee would be blacklisted, following laboratory reports confirming the presence of animal fat in the ghee.

Tirupati Laddu Row: PIL In Supreme Court Demands Probe

In a further escalation, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court by Surjit Singh Yadav, the president of Hindu Sena, seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged use of animal fat in the Tirupati laddu, news agency PTI reported. Yadav’s plea states that the issue has "shaken the conscience of the Hindu community" and outraged the religious sentiments of Hindus. The petition argues that TTD, by serving laddu prasadam prepared using animal fat, has disrespected the Hindu religion and caused distress among devotees.

The political implications of the controversy continue to escalate, with Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party circulating lab reports to substantiate the claim. On the other hand, in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jagan Mohan Reddy accused Naidu of engaging in "heinous allegations" for political objectives. He requested the Prime Minister's intervention, asserting that Naidu’s actions have not only disrespected the office of the Chief Minister but also undermined the sanctity of the temple and its practices.