Tirupati laddoo row: Prakash Raj accuses Pawan Kalyan of turning a regional issue into a national controversy

Expressing deep concern about the use of animal fat to make laddoos at Tirupati Balaji temple revered by lakhs of Hindus across India and the world, Pawan Kalyan demanded accountability from the previous Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board, which was established under the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government.

"Maybe the time has come to constitute a 'Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board' at a national level to look into all the issues related to temples in Bharath. A debate has to happen at a national level by all the policymakers, religious heads, judiciary, citizens, media and all others in their respective domains. I think we all should come together to put an end to the desecration of 'Sanatana Dharma' in any form," Kalyan posted on social media.

However, actor Prakash Raj has slammed Kalyan for turning “a local issue” into a national controversy.

Prakash Raj asked him to investigate the matter locally instead of heightening communal tensions.

"Dear Pawan Kalyan, it has happened in a state where you are a Deputy Chief Minister. Please investigate and find out the culprits and take stringent action. Why are you spreading apprehensions and blowing up the issue nationally? We have enough communal tensions in the country," Raj posted in response to Kalyan.

The controversy escalated on Friday when the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), responsible for managing the Tirupati temple, confirmed lab reports that supported claims of animal fat in the temple's laddoos.

The TTD revealed that tests on the ghee used for the 'prasad' detected the presence of animal fat, including lard (pig fat).

The supplier of the adulterated ghee has since been blacklisted, and legal proceedings are underway.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu slammed the previous YSRCP government, accusing it of compromising the sanctity of the Tirupati laddoos by using impure ghee.

He further said that his administration had replaced the supplier with Karnataka's Nandini brand to restore the purity of the prasad.

Meanwhile, YSRCP president Jagan Mohan Reddy dismissed the accusations as "diversion politics," claiming that Naidu fabricated the controversy to shift attention from his government’s failures during its first 100 days in power.

The issue has also drawn attention from the central government.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda has sought a detailed report from the Andhra Pradesh government, while Food Minister Pralhad Joshi has called for a thorough investigation into the matter.