A ‘bitter’ sweet

The sweet laddus of Tirupati have become a source of bitter debate in Andhra Pradesh, with the controversy now spreading to other parts of the country as well.

Although the allegations are not supported by concrete evidence, the issue has triggered intense debates—primarily political, but fuelled by religious sentiments. The controversy erupted after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who assumed office in June this year, made a bombshell claim that laboratory tests had revealed contamination in the laddus offered at the renowned Tirupati temple. The ghee used in the sweets had allegedly been adulterated with animal fats, including beef tallow and fish oil. This is alarming, considering that temple offerings in India are strictly vegetarian.