Amid the nation-wide outcry against alleged animal fast infested ghee used in preparing sacred Tirupati laddu prasadam, former chief minister and YCP Chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy, who is in the mid-of head wrote a 8-page letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention.
He urged the Prime Minister to reprimand Chief MInister Chandrababu Naidu, whom he referred to as a ‘habitual liar’ , alleging him of stooping so low as to hurt the beliefs of crores of people purely for political objectives. He also accused Naidu of attempting to tarnish the sanctity of sacred Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
Detailing the process undertaken at Tirumala, the custodian of the Sri Venkateswara Swamy shrine for accepting ghee, the former chief minister alleged that Naidu’s actions not only lowered the stature of CM office but also that of everyone in public life, the sanctity of TTD and its practices.
“Sir, the entire country looks to you at this crucial juncture. It is very imperative that Mr Naidu be reprimanded in the severest way for his shameless act of spreading lies and the truth be brought to light. Sir, this would help allay the suspicions that Mr Naidu has created in the minds of crores of Hindu devotees and restore their faith in the sanctity of TTD,” Jagan wrote in his letter.
Explaining the sequence of events, Jagan said that the ghee allegedly adulterated was rejected and not allowed to enter the premises of TTD. However, he deplored that Naidu with malicious intentions raised the issue at a political party meeting on September 18.
During an NDA legislative party meeting a few days ago, he reminded that the TDP chief claimed that the YSRCP government did not even spare Sri Venkateswara temple and used substandard ingredients and animal fat for making laddus.
Soon after, on September 20, TTD Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao held a press conference and said that lab tests had revealed the presence of animal fat and lard in chosen samples and the board is in the process of blacklisting the contractor who supplied “adulterated” ghee.