Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], September 23 : Amid the Tirupati Laddu Prasadam controversy, Shankaracharya of Dwarka Sharada Peetham Math, Swami Sadanand Saraswati, stated on Monday that Hindu sentiments had been violated and there should be no governmental interference in temples.
"The sentiments of Hindus have been played with. A great sin has been committed. This is why we demand no government interference in temples. Devotees visit with great reverence. Many Hindus do not even consume onions and garlic, yet in the name of Prasad, they were made to eat animal fat," said Swami Sadanand Saraswati.
"This is a major conspiracy. Is it so difficult for a temple that receives crores in donations to buy pure ghee? Only Hindu religious places are under government control. There should be a proper investigation, and the real culprits must face severe punishment," he added.
Meanwhile, TDP spokesperson Kommareddy Pattabhi Ram commented, "I suggest Bhumana Karunakar Reddy and YV Subba Reddy, instead of engaging in this drama in front of the temple, to appear before the Vigilance Department and answer their questions. This drama is unnecessary. People around the world have understood how both of them looted TTD and committed the sin of adulterating Lord Balaji's laddu prasad."
Earlier on Sunday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations regarding the adulteration of Tirupati Prasadam (laddus).
"We are forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising officers of IGP and above ranks. The SIT will submit a report to the government, and we will act on that report to ensure such incidents are not repeated," Naidu said.
Naidu further remarked, "I am addressing three aspects: first, purification according to tradition; second, ordering an inquiry at the IGP level; and third, ensuring only believers are part of the management committee. Finally, we will establish standard operating procedures for all temples."
On September 19, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu sparked a political controversy by claiming that the ghee used in the preparation of Tirupati laddu prasadam, offered at the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirupati, contained animal fat during the previous YSRCP government.
Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple located in the Tirumala hills of Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati district.