Hubli (Karnataka): Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi said that the Centre has taken the issue of desecration of the famous Tirupati laddu seriously and the matter will be taken to its logical conclusion. The minister also said that these allegations have come to light after Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam stopped the purchase of Nandini ghee of Karnataka Milk Federation. Joshi, who also handles the Public Distribution Ministry, told reporters here, “We have heard a very serious allegation of adulteration in Tirupati laddu. The previous (Andhra Pradesh) government was using Nandini ghee. When it stopped using Nandini products, it started buying ghee from different sources. Since then these incidents have happened and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has also released the laboratory report.
He said Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is an important leader of India and a good administrator and when he has said something, there must be facts in it. Joshi said, “Now that the laboratory report has come, a detailed investigation should be done. Whoever has done wrong should be punished. We will take it seriously and take this matter to its logical conclusion.”
He said, “This is a question of the culture and faith of the country. Such betrayal is not right.” The minister stressed that in Karnataka too, temple managements should periodically check the prasad given to devotees. Meanwhile, former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa accused the role of foreign Christian missionaries during Y S Jaganmohan Reddy’s tenure as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister. Eshwarappa said, “Why did this happen only during Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure? Foreign Christian priests have a role in this. Jagan Mohan Reddy is a converted Christian.” The expelled BJP leader said that desecrating Tirupati laddu was a conspiracy against Hindus.
