Tirupati laddu row: Devotee claims finding 'gutkha, tobacco' in prasadam
What's the story
The controversy surrounding the Tirupati laddus has taken a new turn with a devotee alleging that she found gutkha and traces of tobacco in the prasadam.
Donthu Padmavati, a resident of Khammam district, made this claim following her visit to the temple on September 19.
"As I was about to distribute the laddu, I was horrified to find pieces of tobacco wrapped in a small paper," she said.
Regulatory action
Food safety regulator issues notice amid laddu controversy
In the midst of this controversy, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a show cause notice to A R Diary Food Private Ltd, a Tamil Nadu-based firm.
The company is accused of supplying substandard ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) temple authority.
The FSSAI has questioned why its central license should not be suspended for contravening provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011.
Investigation announced
Special Investigation Team to probe laddu allegations
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate these allegations.
The FSSAI's notice was based on information from the Director of the Institute of Preventive Medicine, Mangalagiri (Andhra Pradesh), which identified A R Dairy Food Private Ltd as one of TTD's ghee suppliers for the past four years.
All samples supplied by this company to TTD have been sent for testing at NDDB CALF Lab in Anand, Gujarat.
Ritual response
Purification rituals conducted amid laddu controversy
In response to the allegations of "sacrilegious practices such as mixing animal fats" in the preparation of Tirupati laddus, a four-hour purification ritual was conducted at the revered shrine.
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also performed a 'purification ritual' at Kanaka Durga Temple as part of his 11-day 'Prayaschitta Diksha' over the alleged adulteration of Tirumala's laddu prasadam.