In a recent outburst, former minister Karumuri Venkata Nageswara Rao has demanded apologies from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for spreading false information about the famous Tirumala laddu. The remarks were made during a media interaction at the residence of YSR Congress leader Chinnamilli Venkata Rayudu in Bhimavaram. Rao insisted that the leaders should prostrate themselves before the devotees for their misinformation regarding the laddu’s preparation.
Rao highlighted that the CBI SIT charge sheet confirmed that the laddu did not contain animal fat, contrary to the allegations made by Naidu and Kalyan. He expressed his concern over the political narrative that attempts to tarnish the reputation of Tirumala, urging the leaders to cease their slanderous campaigns against the sacred offering. “It is not right to involve Sri Venkateswara in controversies for political gains,” he remarked.
Questioning Pawan Kalyan’s commitment to protecting Hindu dharma, Rao challenged him to take action against illegal animal slaughtering that violates regulations. He pointed out the irony of Kalyan being the Minister of Environment while ignoring the public’s grievances regarding pollution caused by slaughterhouses in the state. Rao recounted a recent incident where 12,000 cows were slaughtered and 1.86 lakh tons of meat were stored illegally in Visakhapatnam, highlighting a stark contrast in the government’s response to such issues.
Rao expressed indignation that despite the CBI SIT clarifying that no animal fat was mixed in the laddu, false narratives continue to spread. He demanded that Chandrababu Naidu, Kalyan, and other coalition leaders apologize to the devotees for their misleading statements that have only served to degrade the sanctity of Tirumala. “It is shameful to speak ill of Tirumala after the SIT has made these clarifications,” he said.
He further criticized the coalition leaders for using the laddu issue as a diversion from the government’s failures, asserting that it was unacceptable to drag the deity into political controversies. Rao urged the public to recognize the inappropriateness of such tactics, which he believes are aimed at shifting focus from growing discontent against the government.
Rao also called attention to the alleged selective outrage from the leaders, questioning why they have not addressed the ongoing illegal slaughtering that causes distress in local communities. He voiced frustration over the pollution complaints related to slaughterhouses being ignored by Kalyan, despite repeated appeals from residents. “If they truly cared about Hindu values, they would act against these illegal operations,” he asserted.
As the political drama unfolds, Rao’s statements have ignited a debate about the responsibilities of public leaders towards cultural and religious sentiments. He emphasized that the ongoing smear campaigns are damaging not only to public faith but also to the sanctity of the offerings made to the deity. “An apology is not just a formality; it is a necessary step for healing the rift caused by their baseless allegations,” he concluded.
