In a recent press conference held at the Hyderabad Press Club, YSR Congress Party leader Margani Bharat strongly criticized opposition leaders, claiming that they are spreading false propaganda regarding the famous Tirumala laddus. Bharat’s comments come amid ongoing allegations that animal fat has been used in the preparation of the sacred prasadam, which he vehemently denies.
Bharat questioned the credibility of such claims, asking, “How can anyone say that animal fat was used in the laddus? The reports from the National Dairy Development Board and the National Institute of Nutrition confirm that there is no such fat in the prasadam.” He expressed his outrage over the accusations that chemicals commonly found in bathroom cleaners were used in the preparation of the laddus, labeling these assertions as blatant lies aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
He accused the opposition, particularly former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, of exploiting the religious sentiments of Hindus for political gain. Bharat asserted that such actions not only damage the sanctity of the prasadam but also insult the beliefs of millions of devotees. “Chandrababu, you need to retract your statements immediately. Are you really suggesting that chemicals meant for bathroom cleaning were used in the prasadam?” he questioned.
Furthermore, Bharat pointed to previous controversies during Naidu’s tenure, asking why flavor enhancers were purchased in 2018 if they were so concerned about the purity of the prasadam. He highlighted that under Naidu’s administration, tenders were issued to procure 78,000 kg of flavor enhancers, raising questions about the integrity of the former government. “What is a flavor enhancer? It seems that Naidu’s government had its own dubious dealings while now accusing us,” Bharat said.
He reassured the public of the trustworthiness of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and emphasized that the YSR Congress government has taken steps to ensure the sanctity of the prasadam. “We have taken our case to the Supreme Court to protect the reputation of the temple and its offerings. The allegations being made are baseless,” he added.
Bharat also highlighted the achievements of the current government in constructing over 2,500 temples through the Sri Vani Trust, contrasting it with the opposition’s record during their time in power. He pointed out that many temples were demolished during Naidu’s regime, and it was only after Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy took office that these places of worship were rebuilt.
Concluding his remarks, Bharat reaffirmed his faith in Hindu traditions, stating, “No one can escape the divine. Our beliefs are strong, and we will continue to defend them against any attempts to defame our practices.” His comments reflect a growing tension between the ruling party and the opposition as they navigate the sensitive interplay of religion and politics in the state.
