In a fiery address, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), alleging that their administration has compromised the sanctity of the revered Tirupati temple. Kalyan’s accusations have sparked a significant controversy, drawing attention to the management of temple affairs under the YSRCP government.
Pawan Kalyan Statement
Pawan Kalyan claimed that the previous administration allowed “illicit activities” within the temple complex, which included the supply of liquor and non-vegetarian food. He argued that such actions have deeply affected the sacredness of the temple, which is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus.
“When people with no commitment, no values, and no respect for the sanctity of the temple take charge, this is what happens,” Pawan Kalyan stated. He further alleged that the quality of the prasadam (sacred offering) had deteriorated, with complaints about a foul smell emanating from it.
The controversy also extends to the procurement of ghee used in preparing the prasadam. Pawan Kalyan pointed out that the ghee supplied was of inferior quality and sourced at an unusually low price, raising suspicions about its authenticity. “You need 15,000 kgs of ghee per day to make prasad. They claim that they changed vendors to reduce costs, but how could they source such cheap ghee?” he questioned.
In response, A R Dairy, the company contracted to supply the ghee, has denied the allegations. A top executive from the company stated that the ghee supplied met all required standards and that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) had accepted their deliveries only after thorough testing1.
The allegations have put the YSRCP on the defensive, with party officials refuting Pawan Kalyan’s claims and asserting that the temple’s sanctity remains intact. The issue has also ignited a broader debate about the management and commercialization of religious sites in India.
As the controversy unfolds, devotees and political observers alike are keenly watching how the state government and temple authorities will address these serious allegations.
